scorecardresearch
Friday, March 29, 2024
Support Our Journalism
HomeIndia'Led to ethnic violence' — Shah says Manipur HC order on ST...

‘Led to ethnic violence’ — Shah says Manipur HC order on ST status for Meiteis ‘given in haste’

Home minister warns rioters to surrender their illegal weapons within a day or else be prepared for strict action. Panel led by former judge to probe cause of violence, he adds.

Follow Us :
Text Size:

Imphal: Claiming that the Manipur High Court order on the Meitei community’s demand for the ST status was “given in haste”, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted Thursday that the decision triggered the ethnic violence that has kept the state on boil for nearly a month.

In April, the high court had directed the Biren Singh-led BJP government to consider the request of the Meitei community for ST status within four weeks, and to send a recommendation to the Centre for its consideration. The next month, the Supreme Court had criticised the high court order as “factually wrong”.

“I can say without any hesitation that the order by the Manipur High Court was given in haste which led to ethnic violence between the two communities,” Shah said at a press conference in Imphal.  

Shah insisted that these are ethnic clashes, and not a fight between the security agencies and Kuki militants, as stated by Manipur Chief minister N. Biren Singh earlier this week.

At least 80 people have died in the Meitei-Kuki clashes that broke out after violence was reported following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill districts that was held 3 May to protest the Meiteis’ demand for inclusion in ST category.

Shah also sent a strong message to the rioters, asking them to surrender their illegal weapons within a day or else be prepared for strict action once a combing operation begins Friday. 

“We have information about the stolen arms. We have asked people to surrender these. Many of these have already been recovered. In the combing operation whoever is found with weapons, strict action will be taken against them,” he said.

He added that the police have recovered much of the arms stolen from the police camps in the last few weeks, and whatever is remaining will be recovered in the combing operation.

Shah also announced that to get to the root of the cause of the ethnic riots and who is inflicting violence, a committee will be formed under the central government which will be headed by a retired chief justice. And under the watch of the governor, a peace committee will be formed having representatives from trade bodies, civil society organisation besides other groups.

“These independent inquiries will get to the root of the cause of the clashes and do their neutral investigation. Those who are behind the violence will be punished,” Shah said, adding that six cases related to the violence will be probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

An inter-agency unified command will be formed under security advisor Kuldiep Singh to have better coordination between different security agencies operating in the state.

In the last week of April, CM N. Biren Singh cancelled his visit to Churachandpur district amid reports of sporadic disturbance in a few areas. Meanwhile, DGP P. Doungel, a Kuki officer whose house was allegedly attacked by rioters, was replaced Thursday by senior IPS officer Rajiv Singh as the Manipur Police chief. 


Also Read: ‘Solve this soon, don’t want more to die’ — what violence-hit Manipur’s tribal leaders told Amit Shah 


Message to Kuki groups

Emphasising that lapses in the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement will invite strict action against the violators, Shah said: “I want to give a strong message to all SoO groups. Any violation of SoO in any form will not be tolerated and will be taken very seriously. Today onwards. we will follow it strictly.”

He said that the porous border between Manipur and Myanmar will be fenced and that biometrics will be done of all immigrants. “Fencing has started on a 10 km stretch of the border and tendering has already been done for another 80 kms. The survey on the rest of the border is ongoing.” 

To ease transportation and connectivity between the hill districts and Imphal, Shah announced that helicopter service for Rs 2,000 per passenger, as well as internal transportation will start soon for the airport. The expenses will be borne by the state and the Centre.

The Centre is also sending teams, including medical doctors and education department, which will be placed in different administrative departments in the state. Many of the officials are on the way or will be arriving by Friday, announced Shah.  

“Kuki areas have especially felt a deficit of doctors. Eight teams from the Centre will go the affected areas in Moreh Churachandpur and Kankopki. Three teams have already arrived. Five others are on their way. If needed, these teams can also serve in Imphal later,” the Union home minister said.

Till the situation in the state is normal, virtual high courts facility will also start soon for Moreh, Churachandpur and Kankopki.

As for the supply of essentials, 30,000 metric tonnes (MT) of rice will be delivered to various relief centres in two tranches of 15,000 MT each, along with making the Khonsa railway station operational as soon as a temporary railway platform is constructed.

The work for this, he said, will finish within a week. “This will ensure that the routes for supplies are smooth. 15 petrol pumps will also be functional 24X7 and supply of LPG and essential vegetables is on its way,” Shah said.

The families of those who have lost members in the ethnic violence will be given Rs 10 lakh (Rs 5 lakh each by the Centre and the state) and a relief package for those who lost their property and those who were injured will be announced Friday by the Centre, he said.

“I appeal all Manipuri people to not focus on rumours and ensure peace. Manipur has set an example in the last six years with no blockages and violence. A small misunderstanding has led to this violence and it can only be solved with negotiations,” Shah said.  

In his three-day visit, Shah visited Churachandpur, Kankopki and Moreh, the three hill-dominated districts which saw most violence in these clashes. Shah took stock of the arrangements at relief camps in Imphal, Moreh, Churachandpur and Kankopki, as well as  met the representatives of both communities, security forces and Cabinet ministers.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, BJP national spokesperson and in-charge of Manipur Sambit Patra, security advisor for the state Kuldiep Singh were present with Shah at the conference. 

(Edited by Tony Rai)


Also Read: IDs checked, skull cracked, ‘dumped alive’ in mortuary — 3 Kuki survivors recount Manipur mob horror 


 

Subscribe to our channels on YouTube, Telegram & WhatsApp

Support Our Journalism

India needs fair, non-hyphenated and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. ThePrint – with exceptional reporters, columnists and editors – is doing just that.

Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.

Whether you live in India or overseas, you can take a paid subscription by clicking here.

Support Our Journalism

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular