Amit Shah reviews Manipur situation, directs senior officials to take immediate action

Amit Shah reviews security situation in Manipur with top officials after fresh violence in state

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reviewed the ongoing violence in Manipur, urging senior security officials to take urgent and effective measures to restore peace and maintain law and order in the northeastern state. Shah, who was campaigning in Maharashtra ahead of state elections, cut his visit short and returned to the national capital on Sunday to hold a high-level meeting with top Home Ministry and security officials.

During the review meeting, Shah emphasized the need for decisive steps to curb violence and bring normalcy to the region, according to a senior official. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Shah is expected to hold another meeting with senior officers on Monday, where new steps may be discussed to address the situation.

The meeting included key officials such as Kuldiep Singh, Chief Security Advisor to the Manipur government, Vineet Joshi, Manipur Chief Secretary, and Rajiv Singh, the state’s Director General of Police, who are expected to attend virtually from Imphal.

This intervention comes a day after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed all security forces to take necessary actions to restore peace in the state. In a statement released on Saturday, the MHA said the security situation in Manipur had been deteriorating in recent days, with violence from armed groups in the conflict zones leading to casualties and disruptions in public order.

The MHA also warned that strict action would be taken against anyone involved in violent or disruptive activities, and important cases had been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further investigation. Authorities urged the public to maintain peace, avoid believing rumors, and cooperate with security forces to ensure law and order.

The unrest in Manipur escalated over the weekend, with violent attacks on political leaders’ properties. Mobs attacked and vandalized the homes of ministers, MLAs, and other political figures in Imphal East and Imphal West districts, particularly after news broke on Saturday about the recovery of six bodies in Jiribam. The bodies, which have not yet been identified by family members, are believed to be those of women and children who went missing in Jiribam on November 11.

In response to the violence, security forces including the Assam Rifles, Border Security Force (BSF), and state commandos deployed tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse protesters, leaving more than 15 people injured. Protesters also engaged in blocking major roads in the Imphal city, burning tires, and creating barricades with heavy iron rods to prevent vehicle movement.

On Saturday and Sunday, the police arrested 25 individuals involved in ransacking and arson in the homes of ministers and MLAs across various districts, including Imphal East, Imphal West, and Bishnupur.

In the wake of escalating violence, authorities imposed a curfew in several districts of the Imphal Valley, including Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, and Kakching, due to the worsening law and order situation. The curfew will remain in effect indefinitely.

Additionally, Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi ordered the suspension of mobile internet and data services in seven districts—Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur—for two days starting Saturday evening to curb the spread of misinformation and prevent further unrest.

The discovery of the six bodies in Jiribam, located near the confluence of the Jiri and Barak rivers along the Manipur-Assam border, has heightened tensions in the region. The bodies were transported to the Silchar Medical College and Hospital in Assam for post-mortem examination.

As the situation continues to unfold, authorities are on high alert, with the Central government closely monitoring developments in the state.

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