Home Minister Amit Shah met state ministers in Imphal.

Violence has been going on in Manipur since May 3 over reservation between Kuki and Maitei communities. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Manipur on Monday night on a four-day visit. The Home Minister arrived at the Bir T. Kendrajit Imphal International Airport in a special aircraft from Delhi. After this, their round of meetings started. The Home Minister met state ministers in Imphal and is also expected to meet the Governor. Ahead of Shah's visit on Monday, the Army apprehended 25 armed militants who were trying to burn down houses in Imphal.

Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to hold several rounds of meetings on Tuesday to assess the situation in Manipur and chalk out a plan to restore normalcy. He is also likely to address a press conference on Wednesday. At the same time, steps can be announced to control the ongoing violence in the state. The people of Manipur are also hopeful that Shah's visit will restore peace.

This is Shah's first visit
to Manipur since the outbreak of ethnic violence in the state. Representatives of both communities in Manipur — Maitei and Kuki — are also of the view that Shah's visit could pave the way for talks. Both the majority Maitei and minority Kuki communities have put up posters and banners welcoming Shah on the streets of Imphal and several other districts.

Army Chief Manoj Pandey also reached Manipur before
Amit Shah's visit to Manipur. He held a meeting with CM N Biren Singh on Sunday. During this, N Biren Singh said that 3 militants have been killed since May 40.

Amid the 40-day violence in
Manipur, the police have also killed 26 people till Sunday. Chief Minister N Biren Singh confirmed the encounters and described the victims as "terrorists". "These people are using M-40, AK-16 assault rifles and sniper guns against civilians," he said.

Why the protest?
In fact, there are protests and violent incidents against the grant of ST status to the Maitei community in the state. The Kuki tribe in Manipur has been protesting since May 3 against the grant of ST status to the Maitei community. People of both communities clashed with each other during a protest in Churachandpur on the night of 3 May. A program of CM N Biren Singh was scheduled on May 4 in Churachandpur itself. Stages and pandals were set up for its preparations, which were set on fire by the protesters.

So far, the situation worsened after the violent incidents of 40 thousand people migrating
. The central government had to deploy the Army and paramilitary forces in the state. Curfew was imposed in many districts, which continues till now. Internet has also been banned till May 31. Since the violent incidents, 40 thousand people have fled so far.