Gen Upendra Dwivedi (C) during his meeting with senior Army officers and Manipur administration and security officials. (Photo: Indian Army)
Imphal/New Delhi: The Indian Army chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, concluded a two-day visit to Manipur on Saturday. The general’s visit was focused primarily on the ongoing security situation in the state, which has been marred by ethnic violence since May 2023.
This was Gen Dwivedi’s first visit to Manipur after he became the Army chief.
During his visit, the general also took part in a meeting with the Manipur chief minister, N Biren Singh, where they explored strategies to restore peace and stability in the state. In the meeting, Gen Dwivedi highlighted the need for trust and harmony among the state’s communities, which have been strained due to the long-dragging ethnic strife. He expressed his confidence in the collaborative efforts between the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and state authorities to bring about lasting peace in Manipur.
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) August 23, 2024
#GeneralUpendraDwivedi #COAS along with #ArmyCommander @easterncomd, visited #Manipur, and reviewed the security situation along the border & the internal security situation in the area. #COAS also interacted with the troops and lauded the efforts of #IndianArmy and… pic.twitter.com/eMpKSI4nJO
Earlier, the Army chief’s visit began with a briefing from ground commanders on the operational readiness of the forces deployed in the region. He was accompanied by senior commanders, including those from the Eastern Command, who provided detailed briefings on the operational preparedness and coordination among various security agencies.
He praised the effective coordination among security agencies and emphasized the service’s commitment to maintaining peace and ensuring the well-being of Manipur's residents. He also expressed his satisfaction with the efforts of the Indian Army and the Assam Rifles in maintaining peace and harmony in sensitive areas of the state.
The Army chief emphasized the importance of trust and cooperation among all stakeholders to achieve lasting peace. Speaking at a meeting with senior security and Manipur administration officials in Imphal, the general said, “My main aim to come here was to review the security situation, as of today, in Manipur, and I was happy to see the great coordination between the security agencies. We had a detailed and frank discussion, and the main aim is to ensure that there is trust, peace, and tranquillity in this state.”
The visit also included an inspection of the border areas, where General Dwivedi lauded the efforts of the troops in maintaining vigilance and security. India shares a long border with Myanmar in Manipur, which is porous at many places and runs through inhospitable terrains.
Apart from this, there are regular movements of people from across the border, many of whom are anti-national elements, such as armed insurgents and narcotics smugglers. The civil war in Myanmar has also brought the areas in the India-Myanmar border under rebel control, which has further complicated border guarding and border control.
The Army chief acknowledged the challenges faced by the security forces and praised their dedication and professionalism. Later, due to inclement weather, Gen Dwivedi had to cut short his visit and cancel his planned trips to Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, and Moreh.
The ethnic violence in Manipur, which has been ongoing since May last year, has resulted in over 200 deaths and tens of thousands being rendered homeless. The conflict primarily involves the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which erupted from a court order that sought a report from the government if the Meitei community can
