New Delhi/Guwahati
Grappling to bring the law and order situation under full control in Manipur, the Centre on Saturday sent Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to the troubled State apparently “with a message” for his counterpart N Biren Singh.
Sarma, who is also the North East Democratic Alliance’s convenor, flew down from Guwahati earlier this morning for the meeting and was carrying a message from Delhi over the prevailing scenario in the State, sources said.
Following the meeting, Sarma said he will report to Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the ongoing situation in the strife-torn state.
“During my stay here, I met the honourable chief minister, his cabinet colleagues, our party leaders and civil society organisations. For us, peace and stability in Manipur are very, very important. Whatever I have learnt during the day, I will report the same to the honourable Union Home Minister for further necessary actions,” Sarma told reporters.
Sporadic incidents of violence, which started on May 3 following a Tribal Solidarity March protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, continue to shatter Manipur’s peace. Kuki and Meitei insurgents have, of late, been targeting security personnel and killing civilians from opposite sides.
For his part, Biren Singh has also been facing a strong dissent from within his own party and government over his handling of the situation.
The Union home ministry said the members of the peace committee include the Chief Minister, a few ministers, MPs, MLAs, leaders from different political parties and civil society groups.
“Government of India has constituted ‘Peace Committee’ in Manipur under the chairpersonship of the Governor, Manipur. The members of the committee include the Chief Minister, a few ministers in the state government, MP, MLAs and leaders from different political parties,” a Home Ministry statement said.
The mandate of the committee will be to facilitate the peace-making process among various ethnic groups of the state, initiate peaceful dialogue and negotiations between conflicting parties and groups, it said.
The committee will strengthen social cohesiveness, mutual understanding and facilitate cordial communication between various ethnic groups, the statement said.
It also includes former civil servants, educationists, litterateurs, artists, social workers and representatives of different ethnic groups, the Home Ministry said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had during his to Manipur recently announced the constitution of the peace committee after taking stock of the situation.
So far, nearly 100 people have lost their lives and over 300 were injured ever since the ethnic violence broke out over a month ago.
