The Manipur government has urged dialogue to restore peace and announced jobs for families of victims of the Tronglaobi incident amid ongoing unrest.
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IMPHAL — Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Sunday reiterated his appeal to all stakeholders to come to the negotiating table to restore peace and resolve the ongoing crisis in the state.
The chief minister made the appeal while speaking to media persons after a series of meetings with representatives from various localities to review the prevailing situation.
Stating that the government alone cannot bring peace without the support of the public and civil society organisations, Khemchand Singh maintained that dialogue remains the only viable path forward.
Singh said that the continuing unrest has severely affected daily wage earners and disrupted the academic environment for students.
He informed that the Manipur Cabinet has decided to provide government jobs to parents of children killed in the Tronglaobi incident, subject to eligibility.
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He also assured that all efforts are being made to ensure the early arrest of those responsible for the attack.
Manipur has witnessed widespread protests following the April 7 bomb attack at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur district, which killed two children and critically injured their mother.
Subsequent protests turned violent, leaving three more civilians dead.
On Sunday, the chief minister, along with his family and MLAs, visited the ancient temple of Lord Thangjing and offered prayers for peace and stability in the state.
Earlier, Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said that the government had invited the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) for talks, but the offer was declined.
Responding to a memorandum submitted by COCOMI, the minister reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding all indigenous communities.
He said that the state would not tolerate any form of terrorism, including narco-terrorism and the illegal possession of arms and ammunition.
He further informed that the Tronglaobi case has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and a team led by an inspector general has already visited the site.
On internally displaced persons (IDPs), the minister said that arrangements have been made for their return, but the process has been delayed due to prevailing tensions and a trust deficit among communities.
Regarding the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, he said that the state government cannot take a unilateral decision on its abrogation, as it involves the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.