Amit Shah to review security situation in Manipur on July 4; The CM is likely to visit Churachandpur, for the first time since the 2023 violence

Union Home Minister Amit Shah. | Photo credit: PTI

As violence spreads to new areas in Manipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to review the security scenario in the northeastern state at a meeting in New Delhi on Saturday (July 4, 2026), while Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh is expected to visit Churachandpur, the Kuki-Zo majority district, on the same day, Hindu government officials said.

Mr. Shah will hold a meeting with Security Adviser to Manipur Government Kuldiep Singh and state Director General of Police Mukesh Singh, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) and D-Gs of Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF), amid continued violence in the state that has prompted the President’s security to be withdrawn since February 4. The last 40 lives of President Rusle have been since February. situation on March 20 when he asked the Chief Minister to crack down on drug cartels and prioritize the resettlement of thousands of people displaced after ethnic violence broke out between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei people in the state on May 3, 2023. CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh is not part of the Saturday (July 4) meeting.

Mr Shah’s meeting is likely to discuss emerging areas of violence and assess the Kuki and Meitei rebel groups’ adherence to ground rules in peace talks with the government. The recovery of looted police weapons and other armories is also likely to be discussed, along with the fresh influx of refugees from Myanmar, a government official said.

Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister Mr Khemchand is likely to travel to Churachandpur, Kuki-Zo district on Saturday (July 4) where he is expected to meet the family of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Vungzagin Valte, who died on February 21, another government official said.

Last rites of BJP MLA

Last rites for Valte, who hailed from the Zomi tribe, are set to take place on Saturday (July 4) as the family has so far refused to bury the body, demanding that the attackers be arrested first.

The body of Valte, who was physically assaulted by a mob in Imphal on May 4, 2023 and died at a hospital in Haryana’s Gurugram on February 21 this year, is kept at the Churachandpur District Hospital Mortuary.

Zomi Council has organized a condolence program on Saturday (July 4) and the burial is likely to take place around 1.30pm.

If Mr. Khemchand’s visit goes ahead, it would be the first visit by a Manipur Chief Minister to the hill district since ethnic violence broke out in the state between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei tribal communities in 2023. Security has been tightened for the Chief Minister’s proposed visit, even as Kuki civil society organizations have decided to boycott his arrival.

On 3 May 2023, violence first spread from Churachandpur when a tribal solidarity rally was held to protest the Manipur High Court’s judgment asking the state government to submit its recommendation to include the Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list.

The northeastern state is inhabited by three main communities — the Meiteis, the Kuki-Zos and the Nagas. About 300 people have been killed so far since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023. Since February 9 this year, violence has spread between the Naga and Kuki communities, reaching Ukhrul district along the Myanmar border and Noney district in the west. These areas have so far remained free of ethnic tension between the Nagas and the Kukis.

Since May 13, when three Thadou-Kuki pastors were killed in Kangpokpi, the Kuki-dominated area has witnessed one of the worst economic blockades in several years.

Due to its location—surrounded by Naga-dominated Senapati District in the north and Meitei-dominated valley districts in the south—preceded by a Naga settlement, transportation of essentials and daily necessities in the hill district was severely affected as Naga village volunteers imposed a blockade on goods entering from abroad.

Apart from the Chief Minister and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam from the Meitei community, two Deputy Chief Ministers Losii Dikho and Nemcha Kipgen, who represented the Naga and Kuki communities, were sworn in on February 4. The expansion of the Manipur cabinet is yet to take place even as the assembly elections in the state are held early next year. Ms. Kipgen, who was sworn in virtually from New Delhi, has yet to travel to Imphal and attends all meetings virtually.

Published – 03 Jul 2026 22:19 IST