Ensure free movement from Mar 8, dismantle drug network: Shah
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 01 2025: Union home minister Amit Shah has directed that free movement of people on all roads in Manipur be ensured from March 8, and warned of strict action against any attempts to create obstructions.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on the security situation in Manipur in New Delhi, Amit Shah emphasised the urgent need to recover looted weapons, curb extortion, complete border fencing at designated entry points, and dismantling the entire network of drug trade.

He reiterated the central government's commitment to restoring lasting peace in the violence-hit state.

Ensure free movement from Mar 8, dismantle drug network: Shah

The meeting was attended by key officials, including the Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, union home secretary Govind Mohan, director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, deputy chief of army staff, army commander of the Eastern Command lieutenant general Ram Chander Tiwari, and the directors general of Border Security Force (BSF) Daljit Singh Chaudhary, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Gyanendra Pratap Singh, and Assam Rifles lieutenant general Vikas Lakhera.

Also present were the security advisor to Manipur Kuldeip Singh and senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Army, and the Manipur administration.

This was the first such meeting held after the imposition of President's Rule in the state, which has been witnessing ethnic violence since May 2023.The violence has claimed over 250 lives so far.

The home minister took stock of the security situation in Manipur.

"A detailed briefing was given on the overall law and order situation in the state," sources said.

The sources added that the focus of the meeting was on bringing back to the pre-May 2023 level of normalcy and on the surrender of illegal and looted arms held by different groups.

During the meeting, Amit Shah said that the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remains fully committed to restoring lasting peace in Manipur and is providing all necessary assistance in this regard.

Amit Shah issued a series of directives aimed at restoring normalcy in the state.

He ordered that free movement should be ensured for people on all roads in Manipur from March 8."Strict action should be taken against anyone attempting to create obstructions," he directed.

He also emphasised the need to continue taking strong action against extortion cases.

Further, Amit Shah stressed the urgency of completing fencing work along Manipur's international border.

"Fencing work on both sides of the designated entry points along Manipur's international border should be completed at the earliest," he said.

He also highlighted the importance of dismantling the entire network involved in drug trafficking to make Manipur a drug-free state.

According to a report by The Indian Express, sources revealed that the key focus of Shah's interaction was the recovery of weapons.

"The home minister was categorical that the initial phase of efforts to bring normalcy back in Manipur has to focus on recovery of weapons.

He also asked the security establishment to ensure no fresh wave of violence started in the state," a home ministry official said.

Sources also indicated that Amit Shah did not raise the issue of talks between the warring ethnic communities in the state.

"The first priority is to ensure a prolonged period of peace.

That will pave the way for talks.

Meanwhile, the Intelligence Bureau and North East Advisor AK Mishra will continue to engage groups on either side of the ethnic divide in the state," the official added.

Manipur was placed under President's Rule on February 13 after N Biren resigned as chief minister.

The state assembly, which has a tenure until 2027, has been put under suspended animation.

Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, a former union home secretary, had closely worked with Amit Shah for five years until August 2024.He was personally chosen by the union home minister and is said to have been given the mandate to bring back normalcy to the restive state.

Mention may be made that with the appeal for voluntary surrender of looted and illegally possessed weapons and ammunition made by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla resulting in deposit of over 700 firearms along with around 7000 ammunition and 250 explosive devices during the seven-day period, the Governor has extended the deadline until 4 pm on March 6, 2025.A major chunk of the 700 surrendered firearms were from the valley districts while only around 65 were from hill districts.

Though there is no official statement on the total number of arms recovered including those looted from government armouries, analysing past reports show that around 4500 arms have either been recovered or surrendered with around 3000 likely to be looted arms.