Manipur Situation Assessed by Amit Shah Ahead of President’s Rule Cutoff
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi to review the prevailing security situation in Manipur and assess the progress of rehabilitation measures for internally displaced persons (IDPs), sources said. The review assumes added significance as the current term of President’s Rule in the state is set to expire on February 13, 2026.
The meeting was attended by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Security Adviser Kuldiep Singh, Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, and Chief Secretary Puneet Goel. Senior officials are understood to have briefed the Home Minister on the overall law and order situation, deployment of security forces, and the challenges involved in restoring normalcy in violence-affected areas.
Although no official statement was issued after the meeting, sources indicated that discussions largely focused on maintaining peace amid continuing ethnic tensions and ensuring the safe, phased rehabilitation of displaced families. The Centre is reportedly keen on balancing security imperatives with humanitarian concerns, especially as thousands of people continue to live in relief camps nearly three years after violence first erupted in the state.
The timing of the meeting is politically significant, as debates intensify over the future governance of Manipur once President’s Rule ends. Several BJP MLAs from the state have publicly expressed confidence that an elected government will be reinstated without extending central rule. In recent months, multiple delegations of Manipur BJP legislators have travelled to Delhi to hold consultations with senior party leaders and central government officials, fuelling speculation about possible political developments.
Manipur has remained engulfed in ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 3, 2023. The prolonged unrest has resulted in large-scale displacement, with nearly 60,000 people still residing in relief camps across various districts. Many displaced families have lost homes, livelihoods, and access to education and healthcare, making rehabilitation a complex and sensitive process.
Last month, the state administration initiated the relocation of a group of Meitei IDPs to their original localities. However, the move led to renewed tensions, with reports of firing incidents from nearby hill areas within 24 hours of the resettlement. These incidents highlighted the fragile security environment and the risks associated with premature or inadequately secured returns.
Officials said the Centre continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in Manipur. Restoring law and order, preventing fresh outbreaks of violence, and ensuring the dignified and secure rehabilitation of displaced persons remain top priorities. The outcome of these efforts is also expected to play a crucial role in shaping decisions regarding the state’s political roadmap as the President’s Rule deadline approaches.
