Security enhanced along NH-2
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 02 2025: In accordance with the strict instruction given by union home minister Amit Shah during the high-level security meeting held in New Delhi on Saturday to ensure free and secure movement on the national highways connecting the state with other parts of the country, central forces have been deployed in adequate strength along the Imphal-Dimapur stretch of NH-2 as part of security measures.

On Saturday, Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting to review the security scenario in Manipur at North Block office of Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.

The meeting was attended by officials of the Ministry and the Intelligence Wing along with Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, DGP Rajiv Singh, security advisor Kuldiep Singh, Intelligence Bureau director Tapan Deka, senior army officers and top officers of Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Assam Rifles.

During the meeting, Amit Shah directed for ensuring free movement of the people on all the roads in the state from March 8.He also instructed for strict action to be taken up against anyone found obstructing the same.

On Sunday, The People's Chronicle talked with some individuals who had arrived via the Imphal-Dimapur road (NH-2).They noted heavy deployment of central forces on the highway, especially along the 40km stretch of road from Motbung till T Khullen, which are Kuki-dominant areas.

The central force personnel were deployed every 100 metres in vulnerable areas of this route to prevent any unwanted incidents or extortion cases.

Although the home minister's intent is to ease the fear of the people while passing through areas dominated by the two communities in conflict, the question is how effective or successful these measures would be.

According to a source, although the union home minister had issued strict instructions, both communities have suffered heart-wrenching tragedies with surviving kin of those killed, still harbouring grudges and looking to avenge for their loved ones.

There is also the possibility of violent incidents breaking out at any given time.

As such, there seems to be reluctance, at the juncture, on taking the risk to travel along the national highways even though security forces have been deployed.

It may be noted that even before Amit Shah perceived it necessary to issue the instructions, the state government had previously taken specific measures to ensure smooth movement to and fro Mao and Churachandpur with buses deployed under the protection of security forces.

However, no one boarded the buses, rendering the government's efforts useless.

Mention may be made here that during the security meeting on Manipur, Amit Shah directed for restoring free movement along all roads in the state and taking strict action in extortion cases, while also emphasising on restoring peace, completion of border fencing and dismantling the drug trade to make Manipur drug-free.

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