Shah meets Biren, Sanajaoba; Khemchand calls on Governor
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 10 2025: Union home minister Amit Shah held two rounds of meetings with former chief minister N Biren and incumbent Rajya Sabha MP Sanajaoba Leishemba in New Delhi since the duo left Imphal for the national capital on Monday, amid rising political tensions and civil unrest in the state.

According to a source, Amit Shah first met the two leaders around 1:30 am Tuesday shortly after they reached Delhi.

While the details of the meeting remain undisclosed, the source indicated that the discussion may have been related to the 10-day shutdown called by Arambai Tenggol following the arrest of one of its leaders, Ashem Kanan, by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) .

Shah meets Biren, Sanajaoba; Khemchand calls on Governor

A second meeting between Amit Shah and the two leaders reportedly took place on Tuesday around 3:30 pm and lasted for about an hour.

Although there was no official word on the agenda, the source said the meeting could have addressed both the ongoing unrest and the widespread destruction caused by the recent flood that hit several parts of the state.

Biren and Sanajaoba had departed from Imphal on an IndiGo flight at 1:45 pm on Monday.

Meanwhile, former MAHUD minister Yumnam Khemchand met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan, here, around 12:30 pm on Tuesday.

Khemchand did not stop to speak to media gathered outside the Raj Bhavan after the meeting, fuelling speculation that the visit might be linked to the increasing public demand for the formation of a popular government in the state.

Manipur has been under President's Rule since February.

In Delhi, BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sharda met BJP general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh on Monday and discussed the prevailing issues in the state, including the growing demand for reinstating an elected government.

BJP Manipur Pradesh general secretaries P Premananda and K Sarat were also present during the meeting.

Mention may be made that N Biren and BJP Rajya Sabha member Leishemba Sanajaoba reach Delhi on Monday to brief central leaders on the escalating ethnic tensions gripping the state.

Their urgent visit comes as Imphal city faced its third consecutive day of heightened tension due to a 10-day bandh (shutdown) called by the Ar ambai Tenggol (AT).

The bandh, initiated against the arrest of five AT members, including Kanan Singh, has led to fresh incidents of violence and unrest across the state's capital.

Upon reaching the national capital, Biren and Sanajaoba proceeded directly to the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah late Monday night, according to officials.

Officials confirmed that the Home Minister's office had indeed called the former CM on Sunday night.

Before departing from Imphal airport, N Biren had addressed reporters, stating, "I am leaving for Delhi with MP Leishemba Sanajaoba to apprise the state's situation to central leaders" .

"I want to appeal to all, including mothers and brothers, that this is a crucial-stage for the state, and everyone should be very careful in what they do and say," he added.

N Biren, who resigned as CM in February, leading to President's Rule, remained evasive on whether the Home Minister had summoned them.

Notably, Manipur has been grappling with ethnic strife for nearly two years since widespread violence erupted in May 2023 .