Amit Shah’s Directives on Manipur: Ensuring Free Movement and Restoring Stability
- India South Asia
Shreya Naskar- 0
- 4 minutes read
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has issued a significant directive to ensure free movement on all roads in Manipur from March 8, reinforcing the government’s commitment to restoring normalcy in the violence-hit state. In a high-level security review meeting held in New Delhi, Shah instructed authorities to take strict action against any attempt to obstruct road movement. This move comes in the wake of prolonged ethnic violence in Manipur since May 2023, which has claimed over 200 lives and disrupted essential services. The meeting, attended by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, senior officials, and military leaders, was the first major review since the imposition of President’s Rule in the state. Key decisions and observations included:
Restoring Normalcy Amid Ethnic Violence
Manipur has been witnessing unrest between the Meitei and Kuki communities, leading to road blockades and clashes that have disrupted daily life. Ensuring free movement is seen as a crucial step in rebuilding public confidence and restoring essential services.
Strengthening Security and Law Enforcement
Shah’s directive highlights a no-tolerance policy towards insurgent groups or individuals attempting to disrupt peace efforts. The government plans to deploy additional central security forces to maintain order and prevent further disruptions.
Addressing Economic and Humanitarian Concerns
Prolonged road blockades, such as the economic blockade on NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) imposed by a Kuki group in January, have severely impacted supply chains. Free road movement is expected to ease shortages of food, fuel, and medicines while helping businesses recover.
Strengthening Border Security and Curbing Illegal Activities
The meeting also focused on enhancing border security, particularly along Manipur’s boundary with Myanmar. This move aims to curb illegal migration, insurgency, and cross-border drug trafficking, aligning with the broader goal of making Manipur drug-free.
Weapon Surrender and Disarmament Efforts
Governor Bhalla had earlier issued an ultimatum on February 20, urging individuals in possession of illegal weapons to surrender them. This resulted in:
- Over 600 weapons being surrendered within a week.
- The Meitei group Arambai Tenggol turning in 246 firearms.
- The deadline for surrendering weapons being extended until March 6 to encourage further compliance.
Despite these efforts, experts warn that without the complete disarmament of militias and the curbing of cross-border arms smuggling, lasting peace will remain elusive. The government sees the ongoing weapon surrender as a crucial step toward breaking the cycle of violence. Amid the tensions, the Kuki Students’ Organisation and Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum staged a protest at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, demanding a separate Union Territory with a legislature for Kuki-majority areas in Manipur. The protesters argued that the Kuki-Zo community has historically faced marginalization and exclusion from governance structures in Manipur, despite its contributions to the Indian Union. The Centre’s latest measures, including ensuring free road movement, strengthening security, and pushing for disarmament, mark a significant step toward stabilizing Manipur. However, addressing deep-rooted ethnic tensions, maintaining law and order, and fostering inclusive governance will be key to achieving lasting peace in the state. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of these directives and their impact on restoring normalcy in Manipur.
