Kiren Rijiju heads to Manipur, asks state govt to bring back normalcy

Heightened tension and violence have brought parts of Manipur capital Imphal to a standstill. Kiren Rijiju is visiting Manipur to review the situation.

By: News Desk |
December 23, 2016 9:33 am

Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju on 22 December urged the state government to stock of the situation bring back normalcy in the violen-hit Manipur and ensure that there is no economic blockade. He further said that he was going to visit Manipur today to review the situation.

I am going to Manipur along with my senior officers to take stock of situation caused due to the economic blockade: Kiren Rijiju, MoS Home pic.twitter.com/rFd9lo3oAw

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 23, 2016

He asserted that he would speak to the state government and find a solution to the problems which have cause massive problems to the people in the state. Bhartiya Janata Party’s MLA Khumukcham Joykishan submitted his resignation over Centre’s ‘failure’ to tackle Manipur unrest. He had said that he was stepping down because the BJP had failed to address the problems faced by the people in the state.

#ManipurBlockade Curfew relaxed in parts of Imphal East district till 9 PM today, expect in areas from Lamlong Bazar to Yaingangpokpi pic.twitter.com/5z6IiJ7Qu3

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 23, 2016

Heightened tension and violence have brought parts of Manipur capital Imphal to a standstill. Indefinite curfew has been clamped and mobile internet services have been termitted at various places to control the situation.

The blockade was announced by Naga groups after the Manipur government announced the creation of seven new districts. Naga groups are alleging that the proposed districts in Naga-dominated areas will encroach upon their ancestral land.

Manipur’s 9 districts are divided into 4 valley districts and 5 hill districts. The 5 hill districts were tribal districts, which have now been bifurcated.

The decision to bifurcate the state’s existing 9 districts was taken on December 9, to manage the administration of the state in a better way. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh also said that the decision has been taken in view of the long-standing demand of the locals.