IMPHAL: As Union Home Minister Amit Shah gears up for his scheduled election rally at Imphal’s Palace Compound today at 1:30 pm, Manipur’s Chief Minister N Biren Singh appears to be on a crisis management mode amidst recent turmoil.
Just a day following the tragic slaying of two youths from the Kuki-Zo community in an alleged attack by Meitei militants, Chief Minister Singh addressed concerns regarding the state’s law-and-order scenario.
Speaking to the press on Sunday, he asserted that there has been “noticeable improvement” in the past 3 to 4 months.
“There have been no mishaps. Unfortunately, one incident took place yesterday but the situation is under control now. There is not much problem with the law and order. Normalcy and peace are returning,” he stated, as reported by a national news agency.
ALSO READ Manipur violence: 2 Kuki-Zo youth killed in Kangpokpi district; ITLF blames Meitei militants
Singh also revealed that the government has taken proactive steps by forming a peace committee under Home Minister Shah’s guidance to facilitate discussions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, with the aim of restoring peace in the state.
“We have also formed a peace committee… Peace talks between representatives of both communities are in process. I firmly believe that the situation will improve soon,” he affirmed.
However, Singh’s statements come amidst contrasting events.
On Saturday, two youths from the Kuki-Zo community fell victim to gunfire in the Phailengmol area of Manipur’s Kangpokpi district.
The victims, identified as 23-year-old Kamminlal Lupheng from Maphoudam and 25-year-old Kamlengsat Lunkim from Bongjang, were allegedly targeted by Meitei militants, according to assertions made by tribal groups.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) and the Committee on Tribal Unity both issued separate statements condemning the killings, confirming the deaths.
Additionally, disturbing videos depicting the mutilation of the victims’ corpses post-firing circulated widely on social media platforms, exacerbating tensions in the region.
As anticipation mounts for the Home Minister’s address today, recent reports of renewed violence in certain areas of the state have cast doubt on the state government’s assertions of Manipur’s gradual return to normalcy following over a year of ethnic turmoil.
