Manipur Sees Signs of Peace as Governor Bhalla Hails Joint Efforts
Collaborative initiatives by government, armed forces, and civil society pave the way for normalcy in violence-hit Manipur.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, speaking at the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas commemoration in Imphal, declared that peace and normalcy are gradually returning to the state through coordinated efforts of the government, armed forces, and civil society. The state, under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025, following Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s resignation, has been grappling with ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023, resulting in over 260 deaths and the displacement of nearly 60,000 people.
Bhalla highlighted significant strides in restoring order, including joint operations by Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Assam Rifles, and the Indian Army, which have recovered thousands of looted firearms, including AK and M-series rifles, and ammunition.
An anti-extortion cell and confidential helpline have been established to curb unlawful demands, with recent crackdowns leading to the arrest of insurgents involved in cyber-facilitated extortion and militia funding. Strategic checkpoints across hill and valley districts ensure the steady flow of essential supplies like food and medicine, dismantling armed networks and fostering civil order.
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The governor emphasized ongoing dialogues with Meitei, Kuki-Zo, and Naga civil society organizations to facilitate the voluntary resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs). A three-phase resettlement plan, announced earlier in July, aims to rehabilitate 57,000 IDPs by December 2025, with funding allocated for rebuilding homes and providing skill development through initiatives like the Ministry of Tourism’s ‘Hunar Se Rozgar’ program.
Bhalla also noted efforts to restore vandalized religious sites, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah directing repairs to foster community healing. Despite progress, challenges remain, with approximately 3,000 looted weapons still unrecovered, prompting Bhalla to extend the surrender deadline to March 6, 2025, without punitive action for compliance.
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