Restoration of peace in Manipur first priority of both Centre and state govts : CM

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday said that restoration of peace and normalcy in the strife-torn state is the first priority of both the Central and state governments.

Returning from New Delhi, where he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed the prevailing situation in the state, Singh said that efforts to restore peace would be further intensified involving all. 

“In the peace process, civil society organisations of all communities, leaders of churches, varied communities and other concerned stakeholders would be involved. No stone would be unturned to restore peace and normalcy at the earliest,” he told the media here. 

Biren Singh, who holds the home portfolio, said that the security forces have given maximum efforts in 47 vulnerable areas in different districts. 

“The Central government has deployed 40,000 security force personnel including the Army, to maintain the law and order situation. The Union Home Minister continuously monitors the Manipur situation. He has been briefing Prime Minister Narendra Modi about every detail,” he said.

Regarding the opposition parties, specially the Congress’ demand for his resignation, he said that this is a "natural demand". 

He also said that to further tighten the security, he would soon meet the unified command of the various Central and state forces. 

Biren Singh said that the Union Home Minister has assured that the Central government would take all possible steps to bring back peace and normalcy in Manipur and has advised him to strengthen the work towards achieving everlasting peace and also sought the cooperation of every stakeholder in Manipur to ensure that peace prevails in the state. 
BJP’s national spokesman and party’s northeast coordinator Sambit Patra, Rajya Sabha member Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba and Manipur Assembly Speaker Satyabrata Singh accompanied the Chief Minister during his meeting with Shah. 

Meanwhile, a Home Department statement said that during the last 24 hours, state police and Central forces conducted search operations in Tamenglong, Imphal-East, Bishnupur, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Kakching districts. In the search operations, 12 militants’ bunkers were destroyed in various districts both in the hill and the valley areas. 

During the search operations, three 51mm mortar shells, three 84 mm mortar shells and one IED were found in the paddy fields of different villages. The state Bomb Disposal Team destroyed the mortar shells and the IED at the spots. 

Manipur Police has arrested 135 persons in connection with curfew violations, theft in abandoned houses, arson cases. Flag marches, area domination and cordon and search operations are continuing in various parts of the state, the statement said.