Imphal/Guwahati
Having held several rounds of meetings with various stakeholders during his visit to the ethnic-strife torn Manipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday announced setting up a probe panel headed by a retired judge and a peace committee helmed by the Governor.
At the same time, he warned rioters to surrender their illegal weapons saying “combing operations will start from tomorrow and if weapons are found with anyone, strict actions will be taken”. Briefing mediapersons on the last day of his Manipur visit Shah also appealed to the locals not to pay heed to rumours and maintain peace.
“A judicial commission will be set up under the chairmanship of retired Chief Justice of the High Court to investigate the Manipur violence while a peace committee would also be constituted under the Governor of Manipur, in which representatives of all sections would be included. Under the relief and rehabilitation package by the Centre and the State, compensation of Rs 5 lakh will be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the violence,” Shah announced.
“I want to appeal to all civil society organisations to not pay heed to rumours. Now is the time to maintain peace from both sides,” Shah said adding
He said that for a better and non-partisan coordination among all agencies which are working to maintain security in Manipur, an Inter-Agency Unified Command would be set up under the chairmanship of Security Advisor, Kuldiep Singh.
The Home Minister said six cases including five identified cases from all registered ones and one case of general conspiracy will be investigated by the special team of CBI.
The Union Home Minister said that to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to Manipur, the Modi Government has sent 30,000 metric tons of rice over and above the prescribed quota. Apart from this, arrangements have also been made for the supply of gas cylinders, petrol and vegetables. He said that supply of essential commodities to Manipur from the rest of the country would also be ensured by setting up a temporary platform at Khongsang railway station.
Shah added that a temporary helicopter facility is being started from Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi, which will provide transport facility to airport and remote places with charges of Rs 2000 per person only. He said that the rest of the cost of this service would be provided by the Government of India and the State Government.
He said that out of 8 medical teams have been formed by the Centre to provide health facilities in Moreh, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi areas.
Shah said that to ensure that the competitive examinations and education system continue without any interruptions for the students of Manipur, the officials of the Union Ministry of Education, along with the State Education Department, are preparing a concrete plan to arrange online education, examinations and distance education, which will be ready within 2 days.
He said that necessary arrangements are being made to facilitate appearing before the Manipur High Court from Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpithrough virtual medium while to ensure smooth functioning of all the arrangements in Manipur, a Joint Secretary level officers of Union Home Ministry and five Director level officers of different ministries will be present in the state.
The Union Home Minister also took the opportunities to share details on the measures being taken to make the Myanmar border safe. “The trial work on fencing of the 10 kms border along the Myanmar and Manipur border has been completed by the Centre, while the tendering process for 80 kms’ fencing work is also completed and the survey for fencing on the remaining border area is underway.”
He said that the biometric and eye impressions of people coming from neighbouring countries are also being taken, so that no one can incite violence in the region.
Shah had arrived in Manipur on Monday night and held talks with chief minister N Biren Singh, senior officers, and governor Anasuiya Uikey besides meeting people from all the sections, visited temporary relief camps, and interacted with delegations and victims in Imphal, Moreh, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi.
Manipur has been witnessing violence for the past few weeks which escalated on Sunday when five persons, including a Manipur police officer, were killed, a BJP MLA’s house was vandalised and over 1,000 arms and ammunition were reportedly looted by a mob from armories of Manipur Rifles and IRB.
On May 3, the first violence was witnessed during a rally organized by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest the demand for the inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. The march was organised in protest against the demand for inclusion of the state’s Meitei community in the ST category, following an April 19 Manipur High Court directive.
