Rijiju reviews Manipur situation, assures to provide adequate security

The Union minister assured that the centre will provide adequate security and assistance to Manipur affected by month-long economic blockade.

Rijiju further said that already 150 companies of security forces rushed to the state and another 7 companies will reach short period.

The MOS Home made his remarks shortly after reaching Imphal to take stock of the situation.

During his day long visit to Manipur, Rijiju also met Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and other top government officials.

He also took part in a high level review meeting in presence of CM Ibobi and other officials.

The MOS Home asked the Manipur government to bring back normalcy in the state by removing the economic blockade imposed by United Naga Council since Nov 1 last.

Rijiju also appealed UNC and other Naga and Meitei groups to maintain peace and bring back normalcy in the valley.

Meanwhile, miscreants torched three government offices in the newly formed Kamjong district on Friday morning few hours ahead of Union MOS Home visit to the state.

Manipur police said that, miscreants torched the government establishments on Friday morning.

On the other hand, curfew was relaxed in parts of Imphal East district till 9 pm on Friday.

Imphal East district administration said that, curfew will continue in the area from Lamlong Bazar to Yaingangpokpi.

Manipur faced crisis of essential commodities, peotrol, diesel following economic blockade imposed by UNC and NSCN (IM) since Nov1.

NSCN(IM) and UNC had called economic blockade following the state government’s announcement of formation of seven new districts.

Following the state government’s announcement of formation of the new districts, suspected NSCN(IM) militants had attacked on Manipur police in four times in last week.

In the militant attacks, at least four policemen were killed and eight others injured.

Nearly 70 suspected militants of NSCN(IM) attacked the two post of Manipur Rifles and 7th Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) of Manipur police in Manipur’s newly created district Noney on December 17.

The incident took place at Nungkao near Jiribam at around 11 am and the militant group also snatched at least 20 loaded weapons of the security personnel.

Recently the NSF had imposed total blockade on all Manipur bound vehicles.

On Dec 18 and Dec 19, angry protesters torched at least 30 vehicles including several passenger buses in different places of the state.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)