Manipur Governor Chairs Key Security Meeting Amid Push for Peace and Free Movement
MANIPURCONFLICT
Imphal: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired a crucial security meeting at Raj Bhavan today to assess the law and order situation in Manipur, signaling a determined effort to restore stability in the strife-torn state. The meeting, attended by senior officials including Chief Secretary P.K. Singh, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, DGP Rajiv Singh, and top military and paramilitary brass, follows a high-level review in New Delhi led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 1. Shah’s directive to ensure free movement on all roads in Manipur from March 8 underscores the Centre’s resolve to normalize life in a state plagued by ethnic violence since May 2023.
The backdrop to these developments is the imposition of President’s Rule on February 13, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh amid escalating unrest between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The violence, sparked by a tribal solidarity march opposing the Meitei demand for Scheduled Tribe status, has claimed over 250 lives and displaced thousands. With the state assembly in suspended animation, Governor Bhalla, a former Union Home Secretary handpicked by Shah, has been tasked with steering Manipur toward peace.
Shah’s directive to open all roads is a significant step, given the virtual division of the state into Meitei-dominated valleys and Kuki-controlled hills, where travel has been heavily restricted. This move aligns with recent efforts to recover looted arms—over 4100 weapons have been surrendered following Bhalla’s ultimatum—and dismantle drug networks, reflecting a multi-pronged strategy to restore order. The Centre has also prioritized fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border to curb illegal cross-border activities linked to the unrest.
Politically, the directive and today’s meeting signal a shift toward centralized control under President’s Rule, sidelining local political factions to prioritize security and reconciliation. For a state grappling with deep ethnic fissures, the success of Shah’s roadmap hinges on enforcement and community trust. As March 8 nears, all eyes are on Manipur to see if free movement can pave the way for lasting peace.