New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah today chaired an all-party meeting in New Delhi to discuss the prevailing situation in Manipur. BJP President J P Nadda, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, TMC leader Derek O’Brien, Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, RJD leader Manoj Kumar Jha, and CPI(M) MP John Brittas among others were present in the meeting.
Sources said that in the meeting, Home Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been constantly monitoring the situation in Manipur since day one and guiding everyone with full sensitivity to find a solution to this problem. He added that the Modi government is committed to solving the Manipur problem by taking everyone together, and the priority is that no more lives should be lost. Mr Shah said that the situation in Manipur is slowly returning to normal since 13th June and 1,800 looted weapons have been surrendered so far. The Home Minister said, 20 medical teams have been sent, and supply of all essential items including medicines is being ensured.
Home Minister said, the fencing work of 10 kilometers of the Myanmar-Manipur border has been completed, tendering work for 80 kilometers of border fencing has been completed and a survey of the remaining border is underway. He solicited the cooperation of all the political parties to help defuse the situation and restore peace and trust among various communities in Manipur at the earliest. He expressed gratitude to all political parties for giving valuable suggestions to resolve the Manipur issue.
Talking to the media after the meeting, BJP leader Sambit Patra said that the Home Ministry gave a presentation during the meeting and explained what triggered the violence in Manipur and the steps that have been taken so far. He said all parties raised their concerns by keeping political differences aside.
The North Eastern State is witnessing sporadic violent incidents for over one and a half months. Mr. Shah visited Manipur last month and met a cross-section of people to bring back peace in the State. During his stay in Manipur, the Home Minister had said that any kind of violation of the Agreement of Suspension of Operation would be strictly dealt with and treated as a breach of the Agreement. He also urged those who are in possession of weapons to surrender them to the police.
