Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 18 2009::
Central Paramilitary Forces from outside the state will start arriving at Imphal in connection with the ensuing Lok Sabha form March 23, official source here said today.
Meanwhile, amidst the existing code of conduct, the chairman of the 13th Finance Commission, Dr Vijoy Khelkar is arriving at Imphal tomorrow as a follow up action to his recent visit in the state with regard to award to the state.
The code of conduct has been in force since the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections on March 2. According to the source, 10 companies of CRPF will be arrived at Imphal on March 23 and another 10 companies of BSF will arrive on March 26, the official source said.
The Central Paramilitary Forces were sanctioned by the Union ministry of home affairs to the state government as per its demand for free and fair election in the state.
State authorities have demanded 85 companies of additional CPMF from the Centre in addition to currently deploying Central forces and state forces.
The arrival of 10 companies of CRPF was intimated to the state home department this late evening even as the arrival of the BSF had already received earlier.
While intimating the arriving of the CPMF, state authority has been asked to make arrangement for accommodation of the security personnel who will stay in the state till the election to the two seats of Lok Sabha conclude.
The state home department has also started making arrangement for providing accommodations and other required materials for staying the security personnel for deployment in connection with the election process.
A high level meeting convened by state chief minister, O Ibobi who is also holding the home portfolio this evening has also discussed on the provision of accommodation and other required arrangement for the arriving security forces while discussing on the matter related with the visit of the chairman of the 13th Finance Commission, Dr Vijoy Khelkar.
Among other, state chief secretary, Rakesh, principal secretary (home) and DGP attended the meeting, source said.
Mention may be made that in one of the meeting convened by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shambhu Singh recently with the DCs (DEOs) and SPs of all districts here has decided to request the Union ministry of home affairs to place a demand of additional 85 companies of CPMF for the election taking reference to the security personnel utilized in the last Assembly election in the state.
During the last State Assembly Election-2007, a total of 216 companies of CPMF (from BSF and CRFP) including 150 companies from outside the state had been provided by the Union ministry of home affairs to the state government for deployment the force as per scale and requirement as accessed by the election authorities for both pre-poll and poll-related duties.
However, only 79 companies of CPMF including 49 companies of CRPF from within the state and 30 companies (15 companies each of CRPF and BSF from outside the state) were utilized during the last Lok Sabha (14th) election.
The number of force was in addition to 53 companies of armed personnel (State police personnel) available in the state.
The 13th Finance Commission led by its chairman Dr Vijay Kelkar visited the state in the month of February this year.
During his three day visit state government submitted a memorandum requesting to meet the expenditure to be incurred in the payment of Centre's revised sixth pay among others.
Manipur government requested award Rs.25,000 crores out of which Rs.4,000 for providing Centres' revised sixth pay structures to its employee.