Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday met with a delegation of women civil society organisations (CSOs) in Imphal and assured them that there would be "no separate administration" in Manipur based on ethnic lines. The meeting took place at Raj Bhawan in the presence of Governor Anusuiya Uikey.
The 10-member team representing various women CSOs, including Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham amadi Saktam Kanba Lup, Kangla Mei, AMKIL, Nupi Samaj, Porei Leimarol, and WASAP, held discussions with the Union home minister.
The meeting marks the first engagement with civil bodies since Amit Shah’s visit to the state to restore peace in Manipur.
After the meeting, Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham amadi Saktam Kanba Lup President Ksh Shanti addressed the media at the main gate of Raj Bhawan.
She stated that Amit Shah reassured them that a separate administration in Manipur would never be implemented, alleviating concerns within the CSOs.
National Register of Citizens in Manipur soon
Amit Shah also informed the delegation about the formation of a committee three months ago to exercise the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur, indicating that the NRC would soon be implemented in Manipur.
During the discussions, Amit Shah pledged to initiate talks with CSOs in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur. He assured that immediate steps would be taken to lift the economic blockade at NH-2 within the next two days, ensuring no shortages of essential commodities and no price hikes.
Furthermore, Amit Shah expressed his commitment to restoring peace by engaging in dialogue with CSOs from both communities and announced his intention to revisit the state after 10 days.
Responding to the assurance, president of Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup, N Nganbi, expressed cautious optimism, stating that they would support the government’s efforts to restore normalcy while also seeking government assistance as needed.
The women CSO leaders also raised concerns during the meeting, including the presence of a signboard in Churachandpur which reads “Welcome to Mizoram”, which they found unacceptable.
They also requested an investigation into the origins of the violence on May 3 and let the whole world know that the crisis was not ignited by the Meetei community.
Additionally, they emphasised that allowing Chin-Kuki Myanmarese to settle in Manipur would be a significant defeat for the Indian government and urged the issue to be addressed seriously.
The women leaders also submitted a memorandum to Amit Shah through the letter head of Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham amadi Saktam Kanba Lup, offering suggestions for restoring peace in Manipur.
The memorandum called for the early transfer of Assam Rifles personnel and the deployment of new armed security forces throughout Manipur. It also highlighted the need for the central government to expedite the regulatory processes of the NRC in Manipur to address immigration issues.
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The memorandum added that if the Central government failed to take action on the points raised within a specified time frame and failed to communicate the reasons and outcomes to the public, there is a possibility of escalating unrest and involvement of unwanted elements, potentially leading to a civil war-like situation.
Amit Shah meets Churachandpur CSOs, says their 'political aspirations will be considered
Meanwhile, Amit Shah also visited Churachandpur district and held a meeting with leaders of CSOs and intellectuals of the district on the prevailing civil unrest.
Soon after his arrival at 36 AR helipad located at Headquarters Veng, the union home minister headed to 27 Sector, Assam Rifles at Tuibong and held closed door meetings with CSO leaders.
After an hour-long discussion with various tribal leaders, Amit Shah met intellectuals and prominent tribal citizens and heard their opinions to bring back normalcy in the State.
Five MLAs of Churachandpur and Pherzawl namely LM Khaute, Paolienlal Haokip, Letzamang Haokip, Chinlunthang and Ngursanglur Sanate accorded a warm welcome to the union home minister at the helipad.
Amit Shah was accompanied by Union MoS for Home Satyanand Rai; BJP National Spokesperson Dr Sambit Patra; Union Home Secretary AK Bhalla; DG of Assam Rifles Lt Gen Pradeep Chandran Nair; Director of IB Tapan Kumar Deka; DGP Manipur P. Doungel and other Central Govt officials.
Our correspondent adds
The Union home minister assured ITLF and CSOs of a judicial/CBI enquiry into the recent clash while also calling on the people to maintain normalcy for 15 days after which their political aspirations and solutions will be considered.
On Monday, the ITLF had asked all womenfolk to come out and greet the union home minister with the tricolour to affirm their allegiance to the union of India.
Womenfolk came out in large to welcome Amit Shah, lining up on the road leading to the helipad where the union minister touched down i.e., 36 AR of Hq Veng to HQ 27 Section AR of Tuibong wearing black dress and hosting Indian flag.
The womenfolk also displayed banners along the route of the union minister that read ‘Manipur Has Failed Us!’, ‘Manipur Tribals are Indian First’ and others.
During the meeting, ITLF and CSOs, Amit Shah promised them two teams of dedicated doctors and nurses to treat the injured.
The Union minister also told the people to understand that the paramilitary forces are here to help them.
