Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met Ajay Kumar Bhalla soon after returning from New Delhi, where he held key discussions with Amit Shah on a range of issues concerning the state.
According to an official from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the Chief Minister also held separate meetings with senior civil and Army officials upon his return, deliberating on multiple matters, including pressing security concerns.
Sources indicated that the meeting between the Governor and the Chief Minister primarily focused on the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur.
Local media reports suggest that the discussions may also be linked to a possible expansion of the state cabinet, with seven ministerial positions currently vacant.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister is learnt to have briefed the Governor on recent security developments, including a proposal to raise an additional Manipur Rifles battalion—specifically a Mahila unit under the India Reserve Battalion—to strengthen policing capacity in the state. The move follows an assurance from the Union Home Minister.
The Chief Minister had rushed to the national capital on March 31 after being summoned by the Union Home Minister. During their meeting at the Parliament House complex, the Union Home Minister reviewed the law and order situation in Manipur and directed the state government to accelerate the ongoing peace process while further strengthening improving relations among various communities.
“The Union Home Minister reviewed the current security scenario in Manipur with the Chief Minister. He also instructed him to expedite ongoing peace initiatives and consolidate the improving relations among different communities,” the CMO official said.
The Union Home Minister also granted in-principle approval for raising the proposed Mahila battalion of the Manipur Rifles and asked the state government to submit a formal proposal.
Earlier, on February 22, the Chief Minister, accompanied by Deputy Chief Ministers Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho, had met the Union Home Minister to discuss key issues, including the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons affected by ethnic violence in the state.
