Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reportedly reviewed the security situation in Manipur amid fresh cases of violence in the state during a meeting with senior officials in Delhi today. He will reportedly hold a detailed meeting with officials tomorrow at noon.
The development comes after a curfew was imposed in Imphal West and East and internet services were suspended in seven districts as fresh protests erupted in the Valley districts against the killing of six people, whose bodies were found in Jiribam after they were kidnapped allegedly by Kuki militants.
The curfew was imposed after mobs stormed the residences of several MLAs and destroyed property.
The three women and three children who lived in a relief camp went missing after a gunfight between security forces and militants in Jiribam district on Monday, with Meitei organisations alleging that they were kidnapped by militants.
On November 11, a group of militants attacked a police station in the Borobekra area, but the assault was thwarted by security forces, resulting in the deaths of 11 militants. While retreating, the militants allegedly kidnapped three women and three children of the same family from a relief camp near the police station.
The dead bodies of those who were kidnapped by militants were found after a massive operation to trace them was launched.
NPP withdraws support from BJP in Manipur
Amit Shah’s review of Manipur’s security also comes amid Conrad Sangma-led National People’s Party (NPP) withdrawing its support to the BJP-led Manipur government.
In an official letter marked to BJP national president JP Nadda, NPP said that the Manipur government, under the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, has completely failed to control the ethnic violence in the state and restore normalcy.
In doing so, NPP has withdrawn support of its seven MLAs. However, the move to withdraw its MLAs is unlikely to affect the BJP-led government in the state as the saffron party has a majority on its own.
In the 60-member Manipur assembly, the BJP alone has 37 MLAs. It is supported by its allies: the Naga People’s Front (NPF) with 5 MLAs, one JD(U) MLA and three Independents.