Union Home Secretary reviews Manipur situation, Congress demands President Rule

The apex court, however, asked the Centre to file a detailed report about the measures taken to ensure the smooth return of the affected people and the steps taken to protect the places of worship. The court has also asked the government regarding the number of persons, who have been displaced due to the violence. .

New Delhi: Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting over the Manipur situation with top officials of the Central armed police force, army and Home Ministry officials at North Block. A senior official privy to the meeting told ETV Bharat that the meeting was mainly concentrated on the rehabilitation of the affected people, taking stringent action against the perpetrators of violence and action taken to stop insurgents from entering Manipur from Myanmar to further instigate the violence.

“It was informed by the officials concerned in the meeting that all adequate measures have been taken to maintain normalcy and maintain law and order,” the official said. Significantly, on Monday, the Central government informed the Supreme Court (SC) that no violence has been reported in Manipur during the last two days and the situation is returning to normalcy.

The apex court, however, asked the Centre to file a detailed report about the measures taken to ensure the smooth return of the affected people and the steps taken to protect the places of worship. The court has also asked the government regarding the number of persons, who have been displaced due to the violence.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress in Manipur has demanded President Rule in the State saying that the law and order situation has deteriorated and the State government has failed to control the situation. “We are planning to submit a memorandum to the Governor demanding the President Rule in the State. The Manipur government has failed to maintain law and order and there is chaos,” said the president of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee Keisham Meghachandra Singh to this correspondent.

Singh also accused the Central government of “its late response” in assisting the local authorities in maintaining law and order. “The Central forces came late. Significantly, even after the Central Armed Forces were deployed in the State, violence continued,” he alleged. As per government records, at least 60 people have lost their lives, 231 were injured and 1,700 houses were burnt in the violence in Manipur that broke out on May 3.