BackManipur violence news: ‘We need your support’ posters adorn Imphal ahead of Amit Shah's visit
The ethnic clashes that have claimed more than 75 lives in Manipur broke out after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts on 3 May to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
PremiumUnion Home Minister Amit Shah is set to embark on a 4-day visit to violence-hit Manipur from Monday 29 May to 1 June. The union minister's visit aims to bolster peace in the north eastern state of India that has witnessed extreme violence since early May.
This is Shah's first visit to the northeastern state since the ethnic clashes broke out on 3 May. Shah is set to hold several rounds of security meetings to assess the situation and plan steps to restore normalcy.
He will arrive in Imphal Monday evening
Ahead of Amit Shah's visit, Imphal was adorned with posters at several places seeking the central government's support in dealing with the unrest situation in Manipur induced by ethnic clashes that broke out between majority Hindu Meitei population and minority Christian Kuki community.
The clashes broke out after the N Biren Singh government decided to include the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe, included by the Government of India Act, 1935 in the Constitution of India, to give legal recognition to list of tribes marked for special treatment by the state.
See the posters here
He is also expected to meet representatives from the civil society and various groups of the Meitei and the Kuki communities.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai had said during a press conference in Imphal that Shah is scheduled to visit Manipur on May 29 to resolve the ongoing crisis.
The ethnic clashes that have claimed more than 75 lives in Manipur broke out after a "Tribal Solidarity March" was organised in the hill districts on 3 May to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday said nearly 40 armed ‘terrorists’ involved in torching houses and firing at civilians have been killed by security forces since an operation was launched to restore peace in the northeastern state.
The violence was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, leading to a series of smaller agitations.
Shah on May 15 directed strict action against the perpetrators of violence in Manipur and assured the state of complete support from the Centre in ensuring lasting peace.
The directives came after Shah held a series of meetings with Singh, representatives of the Meitei and the Kuki communities and other stakeholders in New Delhi to review the measures taken for restoring peace in the state.
As many as 10 tribal MLAs belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi group in Manipur had demanded a separate administration for their region in the wake of recent violent clashes between the Meiteis and tribals.
Of the 10 legislators, seven belong to the BJP, two from the Kuki People's Alliance (KPA) and one an Independent. The two KPA and the Independent MLAs were also part of the NDA led by the saffron party.
However, the chief minister had already rejected the demand made by the 10 MLAs for a separate administration for the Kuki-dominated districts of the northeastern state, saying, "The territorial integrity of Manipur will be protected".
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