Amid tense situation prevailing in Manipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday announced that a committee led by a retired judge of the High Court will probe the situation in the violence-hit state.The governor of Manipur will head a peace committee with members of civil society, he added.
While addressing a press conference Shah said that he visited the violence-hit areas in Manipur including Imphal, Moreh, and Churachandpur and held meetings with officials to establish peace in the state.
Shah also said that Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will probe five criminal and one general conspiracy behind the violence. "Violence was a temporary phase, misunderstandings will go away and situation will be normal soon," he said. "Dialogue is the only solution to the ongoing crisis in Manipur," he added.
The peace committee under Governor Anusuiya Uikey will have representatives of all political parties, representatives from Kuki, Meitei communities and social organisations as well.
He expressed his condolences to all families who have lost their loved ones in the violence. Shah also urged the people to surrender arms and weapons. Strict action will be taken against those keeping unlicensed arms, he said.
Shah also announced that the Centre and Manipur government will give Rs 5 lakh compensation to the family of the deceased victims.
Manipur police chief replaced
IPS officer Rajiv Singh has been appointed as the new director general of police for the northeastern state. Previously, Singh was Inspector General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Earlier while visiting the Meitei and Kuki relief camps Shah assured all support and an early return of all internally displaced people back to their homes.
Shah also held a high-level security review meeting assessing the situation. He directed the officials to take stern and prompt actions against armed miscreants and recover looted weapons to bring back normalcy at the earliest in the state.
Wide range of discussions were held with civil society organisations and community leaders as Shah visited Tengnoupal and Kangpokpi districts.
“We are committed to restoring peace in Manipur as early as possible and ensuring their (refugees) return to their homes,” Shah said. Shah is on a four-day visit to the violence-hit state.
Meanwhile officials said that three police personnel were injured in a gunfight with suspected Kuki militants in Manipur's Bishnupur district on Thursday.
The gunfight took place at Tangjeng under the Kumbi police station on Wednesday night.
"Heavy exchange of fire has also been reported from Chanung in Imphal East district. We have not got any casualty report from there yet," a senior official told PTI.
Over 80 people have lost their lives since the ethnic clashes broke out in the state. The clashes broke out after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was held to protest the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status on May 8.
