Manipur CM Biren Singh meets Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi over state crisis

General Dwivedi, who arrived for a two-day visit, will meet top officials and review the security situation in the violence-hit state.

Imphal: Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Friday met commanders engaged in operations in conflict-hit Manipur and took stock of the operational preparedness to tackle the ongoing conflict.

Dwivedi began his two-day visit to Manipur on Friday.

A statement issued by army on Friday evening said General Dwivedi also held a discussion with heads of various security agencies in the state.

The army chief also met Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.

"The chief discussed the internal security situation and role of Indian Army and Assam Rifles in early return of peace and stability in Manipur. The General reaffirmed Indian Army’s commitment to ensuring a secure environment for the people of Manipur," said the statement.

General Upendra Dwivedi also interacted with troops engaged in operations in the conflict-hit state.

The Chief of the Army Staff was accompanied by the GOC-in-C Eastern Command, Lt. Gen. RC Tiwari, and the Spear Corps Commander, Lt. Gen. Abhijit S. Pendharkar.

More than 230 people have died in the ethnic conflict involving the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur since May last year. The conflict has not ended despite deployment of a large number of army, Assam Rifles, SSB, CRPF, ITBP and other central forces. The central forces are guarding the "buffer zones" dividing the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley districts and the Kuki-dominated hills in order to prevent further escalating of the conflict.