SoO camps and cadres under constant vigil assurance given by Centre to State Government
Structure of Manipur will not change: CM quotes Amit Shah as asserting
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 15 2023: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured all efforts to dispel fear from the minds of the people, said Chief Minister N Biren Singh today while briefing media persons about his meeting at Delhi yesterday.

While a petition signed by several MLAs was submitted to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding appropriate action against SoO militant groups for breaking ground rules, the Chief Minister said during the meeting, the Union Home Minister expressed "clear cut" views and measures that have been taken up to restore peace and stability in Manipur.

The Union Home Minister has assured that the united structure of Manipur will not be affected at all by the present crisis, he said.

Yesterday, Chief Minister N Biren Singh, BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sarda Devi and four Cabinet Ministers including Th Biswajit, Y Khemchand, Govindas Konthoujam and Th Basanta Kumar had gone to Delhi.

The team along with MP Leishemba Sanajaoba had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi at around 8 pm and they discussed the present situation in Manipur and required efforts to end the conflict between the communities.

They also discussed about the issue of the Kuki militants under Suspension of Operation (SoO) breaking ground rules of the pact.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh and his team returned here in Imphal on a chartered flight at around 1.30 am today.

Today, at 9.30 am, the Chief Minister presided a meeting with all the Ministers and MLAs of BJP, NPF and NPP and briefed them about the meeting with the Union Home Minister and discussed the current situation.

It may be mentioned that the Kuki-Chin tribal MLAs, who had demanded separate, administration for Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi people, are in Delhi and they were not present in the meeting at the CM's Secretariat today.

Later at 10.30 am, the Chief Minister in the presence of Th Biswajit, Y Khemchand, Govindas Konthoujam, Dr Sapam Ranjan and ML A Sorokhaibam Rajen, briefed the media at the Durbar Hall of the Secretariat about the meeting held with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Addressing the media the Chief Minister said the State Government submitted a clear and detailed report on the present and developing situation in Manipur while the Home Minister was already in possession of several reports containing details of incidents that had happened in the past few days in the State.

As the priority in the current situation is to bring peace, the efforts and steps required to be taken were minutely discussed in the meeting.

The team also presented to the Union Home Minister, a clear picture of the current situation and the fear and apprehension of people in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh, Imphal valley and all sensitive areas, said the CM.

While the Union Home Minister expressed concern over the reports of people snatching arms and ammunition from the police and causing violence, his team informed that around 400-500 arms have been recovered.

About the Kuki militants under Suspension of Operation (SoO), Amit Shah informed them that a strong team of a joint monitoring committee is monitoring their camps and efforts have been taken for their return and station themselves at their designated camps.

While constantly monitoring and inspecting, the Union Home Minister said the monitoring committee has also taken up steps for the SoO militants to deposit all their arms and ammunition at their designated camps, said N Biren Singh.

The Chief Minister further said that the Union Home Minister informed them that some evidence have suggested involvement of some illegal armed groups other than the SoO militants in the conflict.

Amit Shah informed them the Centre is monitoring their involvement and is taking up necessary measures to "deal" with them.

Promising that all efforts will be taken up to dispel fear from the minds of the people, the Union Home Minister assured that the clash between the communities due to misunderstanding will not change and affect the united structure of Manipur, said CM N Biren Singh.

The Home Minister also expressed sympathy and concern for all the victims, people displaced by the conflict and shared the grief of bereaved families, said N Biren Singh.

While stating that the Centre will also look into what additional assistance and compensation it can provide for the victims.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked the CM and the Cabinet Ministers to inform in detail about the compensation packages announced for deceased, all injured persons and those whose houses were burnt and damaged in the conflict.

N Biren said Amit Shah informed them that all additional assistance (to the compensation announced by the State Government) will be provided after discussions are held thoroughly.

While appealing to people to cooperate with the Government in all its efforts to bring normalcy across the State, the Chief Minister also expressed sympathy and solidarity to all the people who have been affected by the conflict that erupted on May 3 .

The conflict has killed innocent people, burnt and destroyed many houses and properties.

Many have been displaced from their homes, he said stating that the State Government sympathises and is sharing the pain and grief of all the victims.

The State Government with the Centre is working earnestly to bring peace, he said appealing and requesting all organisations and groups to refrain from organising rallies and sit-in protest demonstrations amid the crises the people are facing at present.

While the people of State are facing a humanitarian crisis and feeling extreme pain and unrest, no organisation and group should hold any kind of rallies and sit-in demonstrations, N Biren said.

He further requested all communities not to speak or do anything that may hurt the sentiments of the other.

All should refrain from using slogans, placards and banners that may hurt the sentiments of the people of other communities.

The State has a Government and is working tirelessly day and night to avoid further violence and restore peace, he said urging the leaders of the communities concerned to assist the Government in its efforts.

He then appealed to all to forgive one another and put their faith in the Government and the assurance of Amit Shah and work together to bring normal life in the State.

On measures taken up to control violence, the Chief Minister said Central Paramilitary Forces have been deployed at the foothills of sensitive areas to protect lives and properties of the people.

Central forces have also been deployed in large numbers at Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Imphal areas.

The needs and requirements of the people at the relief camps are being monitored and provided.

He further mentioned that efforts are on to end the blockade in the hills at the Union Home Minister's level.

"We are all people of the same State.

To avoid using [armed] force, efforts are on to end the blockade by engaging in talks," he said.

The Chief Minister also said that the State is taking up all necessary measures to plug shortage of food and all essential items.

Urging people not to believe unfounded rumours, he said the media has been playing an important role in debunking myth and reporting news on the ground reality with the overall aim to defuse tension between the communities.

He also sought the support of civil society organisations in restoring peace and faith among the communities.

When asked about the 10 Chin-Kuki MLAs and their demand for a separate administration, N Biren said their demand will not affect and alter the State's integrity.

Responding to another query about reports of Kuki militants openly attacking civilians, he said the SoO militants are monitored by a joint monitoring committee which include the State Government.

They will be more closely watched and monitored, he said, adding that in the present situation, the Central forces including the Assam Rifles are taking all actions to contain all violence and are not letting the SoO militants roam freely.

Two personnel of the Assam Rifles were injured recently while trying to control/contain SoO militants.

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