Gen Upendra Dwivedi pitches for reconciliation in Manipur

New Delhi, Jan 13: Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Monday batted for "reconciliation" in violence-hit Manipur even as he asserted that "synergised" efforts from the security forces and "proactive" initiatives by the government have brought the situation in the state under control.

Gen Dwivedi, addressing the media ahead of the Army Day, said he was hopeful that new Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla will take the necessary steps for reconciliation.

The Army chief said "cyclic" incidents of violence are continuing in Manipur and the Army is focusing on bringing peace to the region.

In reply to a question, he also strongly argued that there was "absolutely" no lack of coordination among the security forces in the state.

Two ethnic groups, the Meitei community and the Kukis, have been locked in a deadly conflict since May, 2023 that killed over 200 people and displaced thousands.

"The tribal affiliations have taken a strong line. But we have to work as a whole-of-nation approach to make sure that the reconciliation must take place," he said.

"I just wish to assure you that there is absolutely no lack of coordination (among security forces) but we have to understand which side is where," he said.

Gen Dwivedi also did not rule out any "external dimension" to the conflict in the Northeastern state.

"Synergised efforts" by security forces and "proactive" government initiatives have brought the situation in the state under control, he said.

"However, cyclic incidents of violence continue. We are working towards establishing peace in the region," he added.

Gen Dwivedi said various NGOs and Army veterans are reaching out to the community leaders in an attempt to ensure reconciliation. He said the Army has put in place "enhanced surveillance" and "domination" along the India-Myanmar border to insulate the areas from a "spillover of turbulence" taking place in Myanmar.

"Fencing is a significant step and we have started new progress on this," he said.

The Chief of Army Staff said the internal situation in Myanmar is triggering an influx of people including soldiers from that country to India.