With President’s Rule in Manipur set to complete one year on February 13, the Centre has intensified efforts to explore the possibility of restoring an elected government in the violence-hit northeastern state. Over the past week, a series of high-level security and political review meetings have been held in Delhi, indicating that the Union government is examining all available options before taking a final call.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan presided over two key review meetings, according to a report by The Hindu. Senior officials familiar with the discussions said the focus was on assessing whether conditions on the ground were conducive to reviving a popular government or whether President’s Rule would need to continue.
One such meeting took place on January 2 in Delhi and was attended by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. Officials said the meeting saw a detailed discussion on the advantages and drawbacks of extending President’s Rule. However, no final decision was taken during the deliberations. 
The issue of law and order, along with the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons, featured prominently in the talks. Officials noted that ensuring free movement of both Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities along national highways remains a major concern. Nearly 9,000 people who were displaced when violence broke out in the state have returned to their homes from relief camps after more than two years, officials said, calling it a “limited but important” step towards normalcy.
Another review meeting was held on January 5 under the chairmanship of the Union Home Secretary. This meeting was attended by senior security and administrative officials, including the Director-General of Military Operations, the Manipur Director-General of Police, the Chief Secretary and the state’s Security Advisor. The discussions reportedly centred on the prevailing security situation and coordination between civil administration and security forces.
