Emsure Free Movement Of People On Manipur Roads From March 8: Amit Shah
New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah has directed authorities to ensure the free movement of people on all roads in Manipur starting March 8. He also instructed strict action against any attempts to obstruct movement. The directive comes amid ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the conflict-hit northeastern state.
The announcement followed a high-level security review meeting chaired by Mr. Shah in Delhi. The meeting, the first since the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, focused on tackling ethnic violence that has persisted since May 2023, claiming over 200 lives. Top officials from the Manipur government, the Army, and paramilitary forces attended the discussion.
Crackdown on Road Blockades and Illegal Arms
The state has seen disruptions due to economic blockades, including one imposed in January along NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) by a Kuki group. Although the blockade was lifted, concerns over road accessibility remain. The government is now prioritizing the removal of any obstructions to movement.
Additionally, in a move to curb illegal arms possession, the Manipur administration had earlier issued an ultimatum for individuals to surrender looted and unauthorized weapons. Since February 20, over 300 weapons have been turned in, including 246 firearms from the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla extended the surrender deadline until March 6 in response to public appeals.
Efforts to Stabilize Manipur
Manipur has been in turmoil since ethnic clashes erupted following the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ on May 3, 2023. The protest was against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, escalating tensions between the Meitei and tribal groups.
President’s Rule was imposed on February 13 after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly, initially set to run until 2027, has been suspended. Meanwhile, the central government continues its efforts to retrieve weapons looted from police stations and dismantle drug networks operating in the region.
As the March 8 deadline approaches, authorities remain vigilant to ensure compliance with the new directive aimed at restoring stability in Manipur.
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