Manipur still awaits a peace formula, Shah to arrive Imphal today

The BJP government in Manipur is yet to find out a perfect formula that can bring lasting peace to the troubled state, which has been reeling under worst ever ethnic clash since May 3 which have so far left over 70 killed and rendered over 50,000 people homeless.

Stray incidents of violence like arson and firing by suspected militants targeting civilians has been on despite heavy deployment of security forces. Although the government has launched massive combing operations against the suspected militants yet peace have remained elusive in the northeastern state. The Army have pressed into service unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to maintain strict aerial vigilance.

Senior officials in the police said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to arrive in Manipur capital Imphal later this evening. Apart from reviewing the security situation, Shah is also likely to talk to civil society organization from different communities to discuss a peace formula during his four-day long stay in Manipur.

On Sunday, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh termed the violence as an act of terrorism and said that the police with the help of central forces have neutralized a total of 33 ‘terrorists’ in the last few days during an intensified operation in the state.

The Chief Minister condemned the attacks on unarmed civilians especially in the peripheral areas of valley districts in the strongest termed that the attacks on civilian houses in the peripheral areas of the valley seemed well-planned.
He said that the ‘terrorists’ are trying to break the State and disrupt peaceful coexistence in the State and added that the government will continue to face every such challenge.

Singh also reassured that the government will face every challenge against the territorial integrity of the State, attacks on life and property of the people. He further assured the public that the State force is well trained and well equipped.