Manipur: 3.6 Kg Explosives Found As Ex-Chief Justice Warns Of "Invisible Hand," Ajay Bhalla Appointed Governor To Tackle Crisis

Security forces in Manipur have intensified their operations amidst the volatile security situation, with a significant breakthrough in Churachandpur district. In a joint effort, the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police uncovered 3.6 kg of explosives, detonators, and related accessories under a bridge in Leisang village along the Imphal-Churachandpur route. 

The operation, conducted on Wednesday (25 December), was based on precise intelligence regarding the presence of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). 

The army's Spear Corps confirmed the operation on X, and said “Acting on specific intelligence on presence of IEDs in general area Leisang village, Churachandpur district, #Manipur, #AssamRifles formation under #SpearCorps and @manipur_police launched a joint search operation and recovered 3.6 kgs of explosives, detonators, cordtex and other accessories under a bridge on the Imphal-Churachandpur route.”

This development aligns with recent remarks made by former Chief Justice of Manipur High Court, Siddharth Mridul, who expressed concern over the recurring ethnic violence in the state.

On Tuesday), Mridul pointed to an “invisible hand” that perpetuates unrest, stating that whenever normalcy begins to return, fresh violence is triggered, further destabilizing the region.

Amidst these challenges, a significant administrative decision has been made to address the state’s escalating crisis. Former Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has been appointed as the new Governor of Manipur by President Droupadi Murmu.

A seasoned administrator, Bhalla is well-versed in the region's dynamics, having dealt with the state’s ethnic violence during his tenure. Known for his proximity to Home Minister Amit Shah, he played a pivotal role in legislations like the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019. 

His appointment signals a focused strategy to stabilize Manipur, which has witnessed over 250 casualties from ongoing violence, leveraging his expertise in navigating complex security and administrative challenges.

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