New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday issued directives to law enforcement agencies and local administration in Manipur to take all necessary precautions to ensure that people can move freely across the state starting from March 8, 2025. Shah also emphasized the need for strict action against anyone attempting to disrupt this order.
“Ensure free movement for people on all roads in Manipur from March 8, 2025. Strict action should be taken against anyone attempting to create obstructions,” said Shah while chairing a high-level meeting on the security situation of Manipur at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The meeting was attended by key officials including the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, Deputy Chief of Army Staff, the Army Commander of Eastern Command, Directors General of Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Assam Rifles, Security Advisor to Manipur, and senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Army, and Manipur administration.
During the meeting, Shah reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to restoring lasting peace in Manipur. The government is providing all necessary support to bring stability to the region.
Focus on Border Security and Drug-Free Manipur
Shah also directed that the fencing work on both sides of the designated entry points along Manipur’s international border should be completed at the earliest. Additionally, to combat drug trafficking, Shah emphasized the need to dismantle the entire network involved in the drug trade, a significant concern in the region.
This meeting, which marked the first such high-level review since Manipur came under President’s Rule on February 16, 2025, follows ongoing concerns over security in the state, particularly regarding the recent ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities.
Surrender of Weapons by Locals
As part of efforts to ease tensions, Governor Bhalla had previously called on both the Kuki and Meitei communities to voluntarily surrender all looted and illegal weapons to authorities. On February 20, he appealed to the youth of all communities to surrender their arms and ammunition to the nearest police station within seven days. After requests from both the valley and hill communities to extend the deadline, the Governor extended the surrender period to March 6, 2025.
Governor Bhalla assured that no punitive action would be taken against individuals who voluntarily surrendered their weapons during this period. However, he warned that anyone found in possession of illegal or looted arms after the deadline would face legal consequences. Security forces are set to undertake extensive operations after the deadline to seize such weapons.
Security Agencies on High Alert
During Saturday’s meeting, strict instructions were issued to security agencies to take strong action against anyone attempting to create disturbances in the state. The recent incident where suspected Kuki militants allegedly fired upon devotees visiting a temple in the Konngba Maru Wakhan range of the Manipur valley was also discussed, highlighting the ongoing security challenges.
Shah’s meeting underscored the central government’s efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the state, with a focus on ensuring public safety and addressing the root causes of unrest.