GUWAHATI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday, March 1, chaired a high-level security review meeting in Manipur, directing security forces to ensure unrestricted movement of people across all roads from March 8.
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In the meeting, the home minister specified that strict action must be taken against those obstructing roads and disrupting normalcy.
Key directives issued during the meeting include the free movement of people across Manipur from March 8, a crackdown on all cases of extortion, the acceleration of fencing work at designated international border entry points, and a systemic dismantling of drug networks to make Manipur drug-free.
The security review follows the February 20 ultimatum issued by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, directing individuals in possession of illegal and looted arms to surrender them. During the seven-day surrender period, more than 300 weapons were handed over, primarily in the valley districts.
However, with people from both the hill and valley areas requesting additional time, the governor extended the deadline until 4 PM on March 6.
The review meeting under Shah has taken place as Manipur remains under President’s Rule, imposed on February 13 following the resignation of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The northeastern state has been grappling with prolonged ethnic violence since May 2023, which has claimed over 250 lives and led to widespread unrest.