Imphal: In response to escalating violence and student protests in Manipur, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to deploy two additional battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), totaling around 2,000 personnel, to the conflict-ridden northeastern state. The new deployments are set to arrive from Telangana and Jharkhand and will focus on tribal-dominated areas such as Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts.
Currently, Manipur is under the watch of over 60,000 personnel from the Army, Assam Rifles, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), including CRPF and Border Security Force (BSF). The recent withdrawal of two Assam Rifles battalions for duties in Jammu and Kashmir and other northeastern regions has intensified local unrest, particularly among the Kuki-Zo community, which protested the reduction of security forces in their regions.
In related developments, the investigation into recent bombings involving drones has been handed over to central agencies. The Manipur Police are collecting evidence, including bomb fragments sent to a forensic lab for chemical analysis.
The Manipur Police have urged students to protest peacefully and responsibly, highlighting concerns over misinformation spread via social media. They warned that false and provocative content online could exacerbate the situation.
Inspector General of Police (Operations), I.K. Muivah, dismissed comments from a retired security official who claimed that Manipur Police are divided along ethnic lines. Muivah emphasized that the police force is diverse, including members from various communities.
Additionally, the Manipur government has suspended mobile internet services in five districts and closed educational institutions until September 12 due to ongoing student protests. Despite the curfew, over a thousand students protested in Imphal, prompting security forces to use teargas and fire in the air to disperse crowds. Several individuals, including police personnel, sustained minor injuries during the clashes.
Student leaders met with Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, presenting a memorandum calling for measures to restore peace, curb militant activities, and safeguard Manipur’s territorial integrity. The Governor assured them that steps would be taken in the best interest of the students and the state’s people.
Authorities have reimposed curfew in Imphal East, Imphal West, and Thoubal districts to prevent further unrest. Meanwhile, BJP legislator Rajkumar Imo Singh criticized the effectiveness of the current central forces’ deployment, suggesting that their presence has not contributed to peace and may need reevaluation.
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