Even as ethnic violence in Manipur continues to be a cause of concern, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Union government has taken several steps to restore peace in the state, and also added that the government was holding talks with the Meitei and Kuki communities to find a lasting and peaceful solution.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on the 100 days of the Narendra Modi government, Shah claimed that barring three days of violence last week, the state has not seen any major incidents in the past three months.
"We are talking to the Kuki and Meitei groups. We have prepared a roadmap and will take all possible steps (to ensure peace)," he said.
Shah denied speculations of N. Biren Singh being replaced as the Manipur chief minister.
He said the porous Indo-Myanmar border was the issue. “At the core of this problem is infiltration. The government has started fencing the 1,500km long border. 30km is already done and budget has been approved for the 1,500-km stretch the state [shares with Mayanmar],” the home minister said.
Shah also highlighted the scrapping of the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allows people living close to the border to venture 16km into each other's territory without any documents. Now people can cross into each other's territory only with a visa.
Shah also said the Central Reserve Police Force personnel have been deployed at strategic locations across Manipur.
The home minister added that the government has addressed several lapses in the security infrastructure in the state and the roadmap has been drawn to deal with the situation.
Comprehensive policy on railway accidents soon
Another big announcement by Shah was that a new policy to deal with the railway accidents was in the pipeline. Flanked by Information and Broadcasting Minister and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, he said, “I have spoken to the railway minister. He has prepared a detailed roadmap. If the incidents are a sabotage, they will not continue for long. But whatever gaps are there, will be addressed.”
Shah said the CBI, NIA, police and the home ministry were preparing a scheme to protect the railway network from sabotage.
He also said that the Modi 3.0 government has approved eight new railway line projects in its first 100 days.
Shah also asserted that the One Nation, One Election poll promise will be fulfilled in the current tenure of the NDA government.
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He also touched upon other “achievements” of the government in its first 100 days—from approving projects worth over Rs 15 lakh crore (of which three lakh crore are for infrastructure) to health insurance scheme for senior citizens above 70 years, and 75,000 new medical seats to meet the current demand.
On the impact of three new laws, Shah said, in the next three years, any FIR registered will get addressed till the level of Supreme Court within one year as many changes have been made in the criminal justice system, particularly at the level of judiciary, prosecution and investigation. It will help in curbing the pendency of cases, he said.
