Union Home Minister to visit Manipur, appeals for peace

In the wake of recent ethnic clashes in Manipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah issued an appeal to the people, urging them to maintain peace. During a public event held on Thursday, Shah expressed his commitment to visit the state in a few days and remain there for a period of three days. He emphasised that justice would be served to all individuals affected by the violence. The northeastern state of Manipur has been plagued by recurring episodes of ethnic violence, resulting in a significant loss of life. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh recently confirmed that approximately 60 people have tragically lost their lives in the unrest. Reports of burned houses and ongoing incidents in various parts of the state have further exacerbated the situation. Opposition parties have been critical of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Manipur, accusing it of failing to maintain peace and order. They contend that thousands of people in the state have been displaced from their homes due to the violence. On May 17, the Supreme Court directed the Manipur government to submit a fresh status report detailing the security, relief, and rehabilitation efforts undertaken for the affected communities, particularly the Meitei and Kuki groups. The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, along with Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala, emphasised that maintaining law and order is primarily the responsibility of the state government. However, they pledged that the apex court would ensure that the political executive did not neglect the matter. Acknowledging the complexities surrounding the issue, Chief Justice Chandrachud stated, “We cannot attribute blame at this stage since law and order is within the domain of the State.

As the apex court, we can ensure that the matter receives due attention. However, we must also recognize that certain matters fall under the purview of the political arm.” Both the central and state governments informed the Supreme Court that a comprehensive status report had been filed, highlighting the improvement in the overall situation. According to the report, a total of 318 relief camps have been established, providing assistance to more than 47,914 affected individuals. Additionally, 626 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered to address the incidents of violence. In light of the prevailing circumstances, Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s forthcoming visit to Manipur holds significant promise for fostering peace and dialogue among the various communities. With the assurance of justice and efforts to restore normalcy, the central and state governments are working together to bring stability and harmony to Manipur.