Imphal: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired a high-level security meeting on Tuesday at Raj Bhavan, Imphal, to assess the overall law and order situation in the state.
The meeting, attended by key civil and military officials—including Chief Secretary PK Singh and Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh—follows a similar review conducted by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital last week regarding the Manipur crisis.
This meeting is particularly significant as it follows Amit Shah’s directive to the state administration, currently under President’s Rule, to ensure the unrestricted movement of all vehicles, including those carrying civilians, across all roads in Manipur from March 8.
While there are no official road blockades, movement remains restricted for Meiteis and Kukis in several areas due to ongoing security concerns and unresolved tensions that have persisted for nearly two years. Adding to the complexities, the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), a newly formed Kuki organization based in Kangpokpi, declared on Monday that it would not permit Meitei movement through the district until their political demand for separate administration is met—a demand that currently seems unlikely to be fulfilled.
During the Delhi meeting, Shah also instructed state authorities to intensify efforts to dismantle drug networks and expedite border fencing along Manipur’s international boundary. The previous N. Biren Singh-led government had pointed to illegal immigration from neighboring Myanmar and large-scale poppy cultivation—especially in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, and Chandel districts—as contributing factors to the ongoing crisis.
Meanwhile, various Naga and Kuki civil society organizations have strongly opposed the implementation of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and border fencing, arguing that such measures restrict cross-border movement for communities with familial ties on both sides.
Though the details of the Governor-led meeting remain undisclosed, its timing underscores the administration’s urgency in addressing security concerns ahead of the March 8 deadline. It remains to be seen how the state will implement Shah’s directive, given the prevailing situation.
Notably, last week, the Meitei cultural organization Arambai Tenggol voluntarily surrendered illegal arms and ammunition following an appeal by the Governor. Security forces have also seized a significant cache of weapons from militants and armed volunteers.
The meeting was attended by top officials, including DGP Rajiv Singh, Commissioner (Home) N. Ashok Kumar, GOC 3 Corps Lt. Gen. Abhijit S. Pendharkar, GOC 57 Mountain Division Maj. Gen. S.S. Kartikeya, IG AR (South) Maj. Gen. Ravroop Singh, ADGPs of Manipur Police, IG CRPF Rajendra Narayan Das, and IG BSF S.K. Mishra.
