Imphal, August 19 2010: Deputy Inspector General of Police, CRPF, PS Rajora has said that the CRPF personnel have been braving odds to help the people of Manipur in getting the essential commodities for daily use.

In a statement, DIG Rajora said that ever since the economic blockade was imposed in Manipur, the people of the state have been suffering a lot.

The prices of commodities of daily use have shot up sky high, and in spite of that, the commodities were not available easily.

It was a real tough time for the common man to have a square meal for themselves.

He said, during that time, the CRPF had come to the rescue of the people of the State and some stuff of daily use was brought into the State through NH 53 despite several odds.

Now again, 20 days' economic blockade was imposed by the UNC and other Naga organisations.

The truck operators had refused to ply their vehicles on NH 39, being scared of the threat by UG outfits.

It was at this point of time that the CRPF, on the initiative by the Central and State Government, was pressed into service exclusively to restore traffic on NH 39, DIG Rajora said.

He said, more than eight Coys of CRPF have been deployed to ensure safety and security on NH-39 and equal number of force has been deployed to escort convoys of trucks, tankers and other transport vehicles across NH 53 .

"The truck operators and drivers have responded positively to the call once they knew that CRPF would be escorting their vehicles and provide security on NH 39 .

The task being performed by CRPF is unparallel under most hazardous and arduous conditions despite adverse weather conditions and land slides on NH 39 at places.

The tasks performed by CRPF have been applauded by the Central and State Governments as well as the people of the State," the CRPF officer said.

He further said that it is but for CRPF, that the sale of petrol and diesel at petrol pumps has been restored, prices of commodities of daily use have come down due to improvement in supply.

Stock of LPG has improved and common medicines and life saving drugs are available in the market now.

The Force has always volunteered with selfless service to help the people of the State, the DIGP said.

Until now, the CRPF has escorted 327 filled oil tankers, 78 loaded LPG bullets, 140 FCI ration trucks, 22 trucks loaded with medicines, 45 trucks of cement and innumerable number of vehicles carrying commodities of daily use for common business men.

It is for the adverse weather conditions and land slides near Zubza, Kohima that the convoy has been suspended till such time the traffic on NH 39 is restored by clearing the land slide areas, the officer said.

However, efforts to locate an alternate route are on.

The CRPF personnel have been performing their task with utmost sincerity and devotion and not allowed even a single incident of harassment which would discourage the truck owners and operators to ply on NH -39, he said.

The CRPF officer pointed out that it is in this direction that the deployment on NH-39 has further been reinforced to ensure adequate safety and security to the loaded vehicles.

A report by some media persons regarding collection of illegal tax by UGs are not correct, and unfounded.

No such things can happen to the vehicles plying under the escort of CRPF and the personnel are determined to avert any such attempt at any time, he said.

DIG, Rajora maintained that CRPF has always been in the service to the people and its soldiers have always responded the call of duty even to the extent of sacrificing themselves.

The CRPF has maintained perfect rapport with all factions of the society in the State and the people have reposed their confidence in on the Force.

The Force is all India in character and due to its unique capabilities to adopt to various situational requirements quickly and also work in perfect harmony with the State Government, the CRPF, over the years has acquired distinction and have been the most acceptable Force by the people all over and also the administration.

Besides maintaining law & order, the CRPF has been able to gain trust and confidence of the people of the State of Manipur and Nagaland.

The Force have been organizing various kinds of training programme for the men and women of the State and giving them strength to stand on their own feet and earn their livelihood with pride.

He said, many such Civic Action programmes include training in cultivation, piggery, poultry, fruit cultivation, juice making, weaving, computer training besides sports, games and yoga training camps for the youth of the State.

The CRPF is one of the major employment providers to the youth of the State of Manipur and Nagaland.

At present, notification has been announced through various newspapers for recruitment of CT/GD and August 25, 2010 is the last date for receipt of application at Group Centre, CRPF, Langjing.

The application forms can be obtained from branches of local post office.

He appealed to the general public to extend their support and co-operation in the noble cause for the citizens of the State who otherwise have very meager resources to support their families.