New Delhi: A senior government official has refuted claims made by the opposition that Manipur “is burning,” asserting that no killings have taken place in the state since July 18. The official revealed that the Centre is actively engaged in dialogue with the two conflicting communities, the Meiteis and Kukis, to restore peace and normalcy in the region.
In response to the opposition’s accusations of inaction, the official highlighted Home Minister Amit Shah’s efforts in spending three days in Manipur, meeting with 41 different groups, and visiting major violence-stricken areas. Comparing the present government’s approach to that of previous administrations, the official emphasized that the state has witnessed a decline in ethnic violence.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Modi, has been in regular communication with Home Minister Amit Shah, formulating the government’s approach to address the situation. The official accused the opposition of exploiting the issue for political gain and spreading a “false narrative” about Manipur being in a state of unrest.
The official further dismissed any religious connotations in the conflict, clarifying that the violence is purely ethnic in nature, with both communities holding real and perceived grievances. The government is committed to bridging the trust deficit between the Meiteis, who are predominantly Hindus, and the Kukis, who are mainly Christians. Separate talks have been held with both groups to understand their concerns and narrow down their demands before convening an inclusive dialogue to foster peace and reconciliation.
A significant effort has been made by deploying over 35,000 security personnel, creating a buffer zone between areas inhabited by the Meitei and Kuki populations. Additionally, more than 50,000 displaced people from both communities were successfully relocated by May 7.
“There may still be some unrest and some stray incidents of violence. But the fact that no one has been killed in the violence since July 18 does send out a message,” he said.
The official stated that the recent wave of clashes in Manipur was triggered by various factors, including the high court’s advocacy for tribal status for Meiteis, but the government is determined to address the issues and work towards lasting peace, building on the relative stability observed since the Modi government came to power in 2014.
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