Union Home Minister Amit Shah returned to Delhi on Sunday, cancelling scheduled rallies in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, to address the escalating violence in Manipur. He convened a high-level meeting with senior officials to review the situation and directed immediate measures to restore normalcy. Shah has called for another detailed review meeting on Monday. Meanwhile, CRPF Director General Anish Dayal was dispatched to Imphal to assess the security scenario, which has been volatile since ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities erupted in May 2023.
Tensions flared anew on Saturday after six civilians, including women and children, were reportedly abducted and killed by militants in Jiribam. In response, mobs targeted and torched the homes of three state ministers and six MLAs, including those of PWD Minister Govindas Konthoujam and BJP MLA Y Radheshyam. Although the legislators and their families were not present during the attacks, properties were vandalized, and residences were partially burned. A curfew and internet suspension were imposed across the Imphal Valley, where relative calm was observed by Sunday morning.
The violence in Manipur has resulted in over 220 deaths and left thousands homeless since May. The unrest began after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ opposed the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. The Union home ministry noted that armed groups from both communities have contributed to the unrest and warned of strict action against those inciting violence. To address the fragile situation, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was recently reinstated in six areas, including Jiribam, as authorities work to contain further escalation.
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