Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed that the Central government would constitute a probe committee to be headed by retired Chief Justice of a High Court to investigate incidents of violence in Manipur that have led to the loss of lives and damage to properties.
Amit Shah was briefing the media at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Imphal on Thursday. He assured that the investigations will be carried out without any bias and discrimination and the guilty will be punished.
The union minister maintained that Manipur had witnessed development in various sectors in the last 6 years under the present Government, with prevalence of peace and prosperity.
The state had also witnessed bandh and blockade free atmosphere, without any violence, in the last 6 years. However, due to a court judgement, there had been some misunderstandings among people of different communities.
The Union home minister said a peace committee under the chairmanship of the governor would also be constituted to restore peace and normalcy in the state. It will comprise industrialists, sportspersons and civil society organisations among others, he added. To expedite the restoration of peace and normalcy in the state, he informed that an officer of joint secretary level would be posted in the state accompanied by another five officers of director level from different ministries.
Stating that several cases had been registered in connection with the unfortunate incidents that happened in the state, Amit Shah informed that six cases would be probed by a special team of the CBI under the Centre and assured that there would be an impartial and fair probe.
Amit Shah mentioned that, during his stay in the state, he met and had talked with several organisations from either side, including 22 Meitei organisations and 25 Kuki organisations in Manipur. He also met leaders of different political parties and visited relief camps.
He further announced that the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the violence would be given Rs 5 lakh by the Central government and Rs 5 lakh by the Manipur government as compensation. This amount will be transferred to the victims through DBT. He informed that medical teams will be stationed at the violence-hit areas of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Moreh to ensure medical facilities, which would be provided in imphal too if required.
The Union minister said that education officials will reach the state and will have discussions to provide uninterrupted education facilities to students. Online education and examination will be held as per plan, he said. He also highlighted that a rehabilitation package and special provisions will be put in place to ensure that students do not fall back on exams and studies have been chalked out.
Speaking on the Suspension of Operation (SoO), Amit Shah urged the militant groups who are under SoO agreement to strictly adhere to the ground rule of the agreement and maintained that strict actions would be taken against those who violate the ground rules of the agreement.
He also appealed to those who possess weapons illegally to surrender the same to police stations, informing that combing operations would be conducted, starting from tomorrow and strict actions will be taken, if weapons are found with anyone.
Amit Shah also informed that facilities of helicopter services would be started in the three districts of Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal and Churandchanpur for transportation to airports with a fare of Rs. 2000 per person. The same will be used for inter State transport also,” he said.
To bring a permanent solution, the Union Home Minister informed that border fencing of 10 km length had been taken up on trial basis. Tender had been floated for fencing of another 80 km and survey is being carried out for remaining areas, he added.
Amit Shah, assuring that the integrity of the state would not be compromised, appealed to the public not to believe in rumours or any unfounded information which could escalate tension and added that a toll-free number had also been opened to verify any information.
The minister also appealed to civil society organisations operating across different parts of the state to take part in convincing the masses for restoration of peace in the state. He also assured that the government had made arrangements for ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential items in the state. Certain petrol pumps would be opened day and night for the public, he added.
He also expressed his deepest condolences, on behalf of the Government of India, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his own behalf, for all those who lost their lives in the recent violence. It is natural for all of us to feel sad when a citizen of the country dies,” said Amit Shah.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Union minister of state for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, director of Intelligence Bureau, Tapan Kumar Deka, security advisor to the Government of Manipur, Kuldiep Singh and national spokesperson, BJP Sambit Patra also attended the press conference.