Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 24:
The Central Govt has given strict instructions to the Defence and Home Ministry for taking up measures for effective implementation of the tasks already initiated for deployment of Assam Rifles along the Indo-Myanmar border under 'One force , one border' policy before the onset of monsoon, informed a highly placed source.
The policy of 'One force, one border' was adopted following a decision of the Cabinet Committee on National Security during regime of the NDA Government.
On the other hand, Ministry of Home Affairs has also issued instructions to step up the ongoing operation to flush out militants from Manipur before the Monsoon season by setting up more Assam Rifles posts along the Indo-Myanmar border, the source disclosed.
Along with submission of a report by Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen Bhupender Singh to the Union Defence Ministry, a survey work of the border area where the new posts will be coming up too has been completed, the source said.
The highly placed source further informed that as occurrence of insurgency related violence in border area of Ukhrul district is comparatively low, the task for setting up AR posts in the area might be delayed and immediate attention is likely to be given to insurgent infested border areas of Chandel and Churachandpur districts.
With setting up the Brigade Headquarters at Chapikarong in Chandel district, all the earlier Army posts have been occupied by Assam Rifles.
The Army personnel who are presently engaged in fighting the insurgents in some parts of Churachandpur district, will also hand over their area of domination to the Assam Rifles so that the force can hold its sway and check the movement of armed insurgents along the border area of both Churachandpur and Chandel districts, the source said.
Meanwhile, advertisements have started been displayed in newspapers for hiring buses and trucks for carrying the AR personnel and other materials required for setting up new posts.
In view of the difficulties likely to be faced by the security forces due to poor road communication in border area during rainy season, efforts are being made for sending in more troops to accomplish the task of flushing out insurgents from their base camps well in time, the source said, informing that State Govt too has been asked to complete all road construction works in border area before {he onset of monsoon.
Moreover, as the numerous insurgent groups operating in the State with exception to a few based in the hills, have not given any positive response to peace talk offer of India Government, State Govt has been instructed to give full cooperation to the Army while launching the counter insurgency operation.
Accordingly at the request of the Army authorities for providing Ring Machine for drilling tube wells, a team from State PHED have been pressed into service for drilling and installing water pumps where the Army personnel are being stationed, the source informed.
In fact, the Apex Security Co-ordinating Committee headed by CM O Ibobi Singh had given enough hints to the Centre for extending co-operation to the Army and requested for assistance in strengthening its police force in the three valley districts.
With green signal from the Centre, efforts are being made for filling vacant posts in the Police Dept besides setting up the 5th and 6th IRB.
New AK Rifles and INSASH Rifles have also been provided to the State Police, the source said, adding that the new INSAS Rifles are yet to be inducted and distributed among the police personnel.
The source, however, hastened to add that the AK Rifles (black colour) are being provided to the escorts of the Ministers instead of using in counter insurgency operation.