Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday directed Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh to accelerate the ongoing peace process in the strife-torn state. Union Home Minister Amit Shah directs Manipur CM to accelerate peace efforts, approves all-women IRB amid ongoing violence and unrest. (ANI)
Shah and Khemchand held a meeting in New Delhi to review the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur.
According to a statement issued by the CM’s secretariat, Shah, during the meeting, directed the Manipur CM “to accelerate the present peace process and consolidate the growing bonhomie among different communities.”
Shah also gave in-principle approval for raising an all-women India Reserve Battalion (IRB) in Manipur and asked the CM to send a proposal for it.
Manipur has been in unrest since May 3, 2023, due to ethnic clashes between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. The violence has claimed over 260 lives and displaced more than 60,000 people.
Recently, as part of reconciliation efforts, the district administration of Kakching district announced the closure of 11 relief camps set up for displaced people in the district with effect from March 31.
There have been sporadic incidents of violence in Manipur in recent days. On Sunday, tension erupted in Manipur’s Ukhrul district following a factional clash between two factions of a Naga insurgent group, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), claiming four lives and leaving two injured.
On Tuesday, an irate mob stormed and vandalised the residences of seven leaders of the NSCN-Isaac Muivah faction, who are allegedly involved in the killing of four cadres of the NSCN Eastern flank faction.