Army Brass Updates Manipur Governor on Security, Durand Cup

Senior Army officers, led by Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command, met Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan on Thursday to discuss the state’s volatile security situation and preparations for the 134th Durand Cup. The team, including Lieutenant General Abhijit S. Pendharkar of Spear Corps and Major General Ravroop Singh of Assam Rifles (South), also provided insights into the broader Northeast security landscape.

The officers briefed Bhalla on logistical arrangements for the Durand Cup, set to take place in Imphal from July 30 to August 12, highlighting Manipur’s role as a host for this historic football tournament. Arriving via an Air Force aircraft, they also conducted review meetings with local military leaders to assess operational readiness, described as a routine evaluation by defence sources.

Manipur has been gripped by ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023, resulting in over 260 deaths and displacing thousands, underscoring the urgency of these discussions.

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