Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday directed Manipur Chief Minister Yomnam Khemchand Singh to expedite the ongoing peace process in the strife-torn state.
Shah and Khimchand held a meeting in New Delhi to review the law and order situation prevailing in Manipur.
According to a statement issued by the Ministerial Council Secretariat, during the meeting, Shah directed the Manipur Chief Minister to “accelerate the current peace process and promote growing affection between different communities.”
Shah also gave in-principle approval for the formation of an all-women Indian reserve battalion in Manipur, and asked the Prime Minister to send a proposal for the same.
Manipur has been witnessing unrest since May 3, 2023, due to ethnic clashes between the Kuki Zo and Meitei communities. The violence claimed the lives of more than 260 people and displaced more than 60,000 people.
Recently, as part of reconciliation efforts, the Kakching district administration announced the closure of 11 relief camps set up for displaced people in the district effective March 31.
There have been sporadic incidents of violence in Manipur in recent days. Tension erupted on Sunday in Manipur’s Ukhrul district after a clash between two factions of the Naga rebel group, National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), left four people dead and two injured.
On Tuesday, angry mobs stormed and vandalized the residences of seven leaders of the NSCN-Isaac Muivah faction, who were allegedly involved in the killing of four cadres of the NSCN’s East Wing faction.
