HM meets ITLF, urges to maintain peace for 15 days for viable solution

The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah today held a closed-door meeting with leaders of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and intellectuals of Churachandpur on the prevailing civil unrest in Manipur.

Soon after his arrival at 36 AR helipad located at Headquarters Veng, the Union Home Minister headed to 27 Sector, Assam Rifles at Tuibong and held closed door meetings with CSOs leaders.

After about an hour-long discussion with various tribal leaders, Amit Shah met intellectuals and prominent tribal citizens and heard their opinions to bring back normalcy in the State.

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, ITLF Spokesperson, Ginza Vualzong said the tribal leaders put forth their political demands of total separation from Manipur to the Home Minister as well as the demand for imposition of President rule immediately in order to protect the lives of the tribals since the law-and-order situation has collapsed. On the political demands raised by the tribal leaders, Amit Shah replied that there has been already a committee set up even before the ongoing crisis in the State began, and a talk has been going on in full speed although it could not continue owing the ongoing crisis.

The Home Minister requested the tribal leaders to maintain peace at least for 15 days so that the government can do enquiries after which all the stakeholders of the State could sit together and chalk out a political solution for the tribals.

Regarding the ongoing crisis, Amit Shah also mentioned that there would be CBI and independent Judicial enquiries committee to be set-up by the central government to investigate the issue without any interference from the state government.

He also assured that the issue has been taken seriously and the central government would make sure that whoever is responsible for the killing would not be spared.

With regard to relief and rehabilitation, Amit Shah said the central government has already sent out 30,000 metric tons of relief materials to Manipur out of which 20,000 will go to the tribal communities. He also said that compensation amount of Rs. 10 Lakh should be transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the victim’s family bank account and not through any other agencies.

Amit Shah assured that he would be sending eight teams of medical doctors from various departments from Delhi for engage in Churachandpur Medical College to extend help to the shortcomings of the Staff.

ITLF Spokesperson also said that the Home Minister was positive that a viable solution can be drawn out from the ongoing crisis; and before that, the central government would be deploying more security forces in border areas so that the villagers do not have to defend themselves.

Responding to media queries regarding ITLF future course of action, the spokesperson said they have faith in Amit Shah assurance and that they will be observing the situation in the next few days.

The spokesperson said the tribals have no choice but to defend themselves till their last breath if they were under attack. But, if the other parties refrain from any attacks, the tribal would also maintain peace, he added.

MLAs from Churchandpur district also held a separate meeting with the Union Home Minister after a meeting with ITLF leaders.

58-Churchandpur AC MLA, LM Khaute, while responding to media queries, said the Kuki MLAs while in Delhi had already raised their demand collectively for separate administration based on expectations and aspirations of the people. He said the MLAs also hope that something positive would come out but it lay in the hands of the central government.

Meanwhile, Amit Shah after his arrival in the State on Monday had a closed-door meeting with the Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, Sambit Patra, National Spokesperson, BJP, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Secretary (Home), Government of India, Shri Tapan Kumar Deka, Director of Intelligence Bureau (DIB), Chief Secretary, Manipur and Security Advisor.

Detailed discussions were held from 9:40 pm to 10:45 pm yesterday at the chief minister’s Secretariat and decisions were taken to restore normalcy and bring peace to the State at the earliest, to take necessary action to improve the law-and-order situation and build confidence among the public.

Other decisions included expediting relief measures and make essential items like Petrol, LPG Gas, Rice and other daily requirements available to the common people, compensation at the tune of Rs.10.00 lakh (Rs.5.00 lakh to be borne by the State and Rs.5.00 lakh as Central share) to the deceased persons and provision of one job to the family of the deceased persons. Decision to install telephone helplines with the help of BSNL to dispel rumours was also taken during the meeting.

To welcome the Union Home Minister, local women from different parts of the district came out from their respective localities to form a human chain along the road stretch starting near the 36 AR helipad till 27 Sector Assam Rifle where Amit Shah was scheduled to meet the tribal CSO leaders among others. The women were seen holding banners and placards wherein the demands, hopes and grievances of the tribal populace were written.

On arrival in Chuchandpur, five MLAs of Churachandpur and Pherzawl namely LM Khaute, Paolienlal Haokip, Letzamang Haokip,  Chinlunthang and Ngursanglur Sanate accorded a warm welcome to the Union Home Minister at the helipad. Amit Shah was accompanied by Union MoS for Home Satyanand Rai; BJP National Spokesperson Dr Sambit Patra; Union Home Secretary AK Bhalla; DG of Assam Rifles Lt Gen Pradeep Chandran Nair; Director of IB Tapan Kumar Deka; DGP Manipur P. Doungel and other Central Govt officials.