As Home Minister Amit Shah orders key security measures for Manipur, Congress questions the delayed response and slams Prime Minister Modi for ignoring the state’s plight while prioritizing foreign visits and political engagements.
BT PC Bureau
The Congress party on Sunday welcomed the decisions taken at the high-level security review meeting on Manipur, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. However, it questioned why these measures were not implemented earlier and criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting the violence-hit state.
On Saturday, Shah held a review meeting focused on restoring normalcy in Manipur, particularly addressing security concerns, ensuring the surrender of looted and illegal arms, and facilitating the free movement of people across the state. This was the first such meeting after President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur following the resignation of N. Biren Singh as Chief Minister. The meeting was attended by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the Governor of Manipur, top officials of the Manipur government, senior Army officers, and paramilitary force representatives.
Chaired a review meeting on the security situation in Manipur today.
Directed to ensure free movement on all routes in Manipur from the 8th of March and strict action against those creating obstructions. All cases of extortion to be dealt with continued harshness, and the work… pic.twitter.com/AAIFpcfxGt
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 1, 2025
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During the meeting, Shah directed security forces to ensure the free movement of people on all roads in Manipur from March 8. He also ordered strict measures to recover illegal and looted arms held by various groups, expedite the long-pending border fencing process, and intensify security efforts to curb drug trafficking and armed violence.
VIDEO | Imphal: Manipur Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh on Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairing a high-level review meeting on the security situation in Manipur earlier today:
“The meeting in Delhi chaired by Amit Shah ji — in fact, the outcome and decisions of… pic.twitter.com/zCzlvK1Gdh
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 1, 2025
While Congress welcomed these decisions, Manipur Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh questioned why they were not taken earlier when a BJP government was in power in the state. He called the decision to open free movement from March 8 “a welcome step” but asked why it took so long to implement. Congress leader Supriya Shrinate was more direct in her criticism, accusing Prime Minister Modi of “abandoning” Manipur. She pointed out that despite the ongoing crisis, Modi has been busy with international visits, jungle safaris, and political rallies, yet has not set foot in Manipur in over 18 months.
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“Manipur has been burning. Violence continues even today. Over 60,000 women and children remain in relief camps. Property worth billions has been destroyed. People are openly carrying weapons for drug trafficking, yet the Prime Minister has no time for Manipur,” Shrinate said. She further questioned why Modi could visit the US, UK, Greece, and South Africa but refuses to visit Manipur.
With the situation still fragile, Congress has demanded greater accountability from the Prime Minister and a clear roadmap for lasting peace in the state
