Editor
Hands-On Approach to Calm Unrest
In a recent parliamentary speech, Home Minister Amit Shah discussed the ongoing situation in Manipur, highlighting the efforts made by him and his colleague Nityanand Rai. They dedicated several days to address the issues and restore peace.
Swift Actions Taken
Shah explained that after a clash on May 3, 2023, the government quickly changed top officials on May 4. A special advisor was appointed right away from Surat. Thousands of Central Armed Police Forces were sent, assisted by the Indian Air Force, to manage the situation.
Securing the Border
Shah shared that the Manipur-Myanmar border had no fences, causing problems. To solve this, the BJP government began building fences in 2022. They've completed 10 Km already, and work is ongoing for another 7 Km. Plans for securing 600 Km are also in progress.
Tracking Immigration
To manage the influx of people from Myanmar, the government started registering Kuki immigrants in January 2023. Their biometric data was collected, and they were listed in a way that prevented them from getting Aadhaar and Voter cards.
A Complicated Situation
Shah explained that Kukis from Myanmar came to Manipur due to issues in Myanmar. The Kuki Democratic Front's efforts to restore democracy led to their problems with the Military Junta there.
Stable Governance
During the BJP's six-year rule, Manipur had no curfews, strikes, or blockades, showing stable governance during that time.
Role of Manipur High Court
Shah mentioned that a significant factor behind the May 3 clash was a Manipur High Court judgment on the Scheduled Tribe status of Meiteis, which was given without hearing the government's opinion.
Article 356 - On CM Removal
Shah clarified that Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, which allows the central government to take over a state's administration if it's not functioning according to the Constitution, was not invoked in this case. The decision was based on the cooperation between the state government and the central government in managing the Manipur situation. This highlighted a collaborative approach rather than a forced removal of the Chief Minister or the state's administration.
Amit Shah's address provided insight into the complex task of managing problems and showed the government's commitment to bringing peace to Manipur while emphasizing cooperation over removal.