GUWAHATI, June 24 (PTI): In an effort to tackle the escalating crisis in Manipur, an all-party meeting was organised on Saturday by Union home minister Amit Shah, drawing the participation of leaders from various political parties. The meeting aimed to discuss and devise strategies to address the prevailing situation in the state, which has witnessed violent clashes since May 3, resulting in a death toll of nearly 120 and leaving over 3,000 injured.
The gathering saw the presence of notable figures such as BJP president J P Nadda, former Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh representing the Congress party, Derek O’Brien from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Singh representing the National People’s Party (NPP), M Thambi Durai from the AIADMK, Tiruchi Siva from the DMK, Pinaki Misra from the BJD, Sanjay Singh from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Manoj Jha from the RJD, and Priyanka Chaturvedi from the Shiv Sena. Key government officials including Union ministers Pralhad Joshi, Nityanand Rai, and Ajay Kumar Mishra, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla, and director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka were also in attendance.
The ethnic violence in Manipur was triggered by a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ held on May 3 in the hill districts, in opposition to the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Despite Shah’s four-day visit to the state last month, engaging with a diverse range of individuals in an attempt to restore peace, the violence has continued unabated, drawing criticism from opposition parties.
The all-party meeting served as a platform to discuss the ongoing crisis and explore effective measures to reinstate stability and harmony in Manipur. Leaders deliberated on possible solutions and strategies to quell the violence, restore law and order, and ensure the safety and well-being of the affected communities.
The meeting also emphasised the need for unity, dialogue, and cooperation to restore peace in the troubled region and prevent further loss of life and property.