Amit Shah to travel to strife-torn Manipur ‘after few days’ as one dies in fresh violence
The Union Minister's statement comes even as the northeastern state saw another death as a fresh violence between suspected militants and a group of people in an area bordering Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts in Manipur
PremiumUnion Home Minister Amit Shah is on a day-long visit to Guwahati, Assam to attend three events marking the completion of two years of the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP government in the state. In Guwahati, Shah appealed the people of Manipur to maintain peace and assured justice for all.
At an event in Guwahati, Shah said that he would visit Manipur for three days after a few days and talk to the people of the state to maintain peace. The statement from the Union Home Minister comes even as stray cases of extreme violence continues to arise in the Northeastern state.
The Union Minister's statement comes even as the northeastern state saw another death as a fresh violence between suspected militants and a group of people in an area bordering Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts in strife-torn Manipur.
Toijam Chandramoni, 30, was shot dead during the violence on Wednesday, and Leichombam Abungnao, aged 22, was injured when suspected militants opened fire at the group of people, mostly comprising those who were displaced during the recent ethnic clashes in Churachandpur and took shelter in a relief camp at Moirang in Bishnupur, the officer said.
Amit Shah said, “There were clashes in Manipur after verdict of a court. I would appeal to both groups they should maintain peace, justice will be done with everyone. I will myself go to Manipur after few days and will stay there for three days and will talk to people of Manipur for establishing peace"
The Centre will ensure that justice is given to all who suffered in the clashes which broke out in the state, but "people must hold a dialogue to ensure peace in the state," Shah said.
The authorities in Manipur clamped curfew for 24 hours in the area and reduced the curfew relaxation hours in several other districts.
Meanwhile, the house of Manipur PWD Minister Konthoujam Govindas in Bishnupur district was vandalised on Wednesday by a group of people claiming that the government in the violence-hit state was not doing enough to protect locals from militants belonging to another community, an official said.
The minister who is a BJP leader and his family members, however, were not present at the house when the mob, comprising mostly women, attacked the house in Ningthoukhong area and damaged a portion of a gate, windows, a few furniture and electronic gadgets.
This was the first time a minister’s house was attacked during the ongoing ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki community people in the state that started three weeks ago. Army and paramilitary forces have been deployed to control the situation in the state.
Clashes broke out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The violence in Manipur was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
The ethnic clashes claimed over 70 lives and some 10,000 army and paramilitary personnel had to be deployed to restore normalcy in the northeastern state.
(With inputs from agencies)
"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels 🚀 Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
