State, central forces deployed in 38 vulnerable areas: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 26 2023:
While appealing to the peo-ple not to panic as the government is doing everything to prevent unwanted incidents and restore peace and normalcy in the state, chief minister N Biren has informed that security personnel including state and central forces have been deployed in 38 vulnerable areas.
Addressing media persons at his secretariat office here on Friday, CM Biren contended with since May 3 when widespread commu-nal clashes occurred in the state, there has been no major incident with exception of few minor one in some sensitive pockets.
He also explained that due to utilisation of state's forces for election related duties in other states, there was shortage of civil police, MR and IRB consequently affecting deployment of security personnel in adequate numbers in the foothill villages.
However, to check recurrence of unwant-ed incidents IRS and MR along with CRPF, BSF and army have been deployed in 38 vulnerable areas under Bishnupur district as well as in different sensitive areas across the state, including the twin capital districts.
Maintaining that the government is committed to restore peace and normalcy, CM Biren informed that paramilitary forces along with state forces have also been deployed in Imphal West and East districts such as Langol, New Checkon, Zomi Villa, Khongsai Veng and Old Lambulane as there areas have substantial Kuki population.
He also informed that the gov-ernment has launched search operations in both the hills and valley against armed groups.
The commitment given by union home minister Amit Shah at a public event in Guwahati on Thursday to take actions against perpetrators of violence and those who are against peace, is being executed at the ground level, he claimed.
Appealing to the public not to have apprehension, the chief minister informed that talks are underway with all sections of society through the various peace committees formed in the wake of violence.
While seeking support of the people to the government's effort to bring normalcy, he appealed to all concerned to refrain from violent activities and not to believe or spread rumours which could vitiate the situation.
He also urged the people of the state to refrain from organ-ising sit-in protest and rallies as the participants could ex-posed to attacks by the armed militants.
CM Biren further informed that an MLA team met Amit Shah in Guwahati and apprised him of the prevailing situation in Manipur.
The Chief Minister also stat-ed that union home minister during his three-day state visit would be meeting different sections of people and appealed to stakeholders concerned to take part in the meeting for long lasting solution.
He further informed that Amit Shah has been closely monitoring the situation in the state as is evident from prompt despatch of 20 ad-ditional companies of CRPF and BSF on being intimated about shortage of security forces for deployment in the foothill villages.
The union home minister is also directly monitoring ac-tivities of cadres of So0 sig-natory armed outfits and has also assured to deal firmly in case So0 militants violate the ceasefire ground rules, Biren maintained and reiterated that the government is not against any individual, group or community but is commit-ted to upholdinterest of all the 34/35 communities settling in the state.
The chief minister also in-formed that union minister of state (5 oS) for home Ni-tyanand Rai has been holding rent CSOS n the state ie minister meetings with difl and will remain i till the union hon arrives.
Stating that so 495 firearms had be out of over 1000 sn different police sl Biren urged for re missing firearms b rity personnel start search operations: teal consequence far around en returned tched from ations, CM turn of the efore secu-conducting nd to avoid 5.-Water Resources minister Awangbow Newm ai, who was also present at the press brief-ing, said that the MLA team, who went to Guwahati, briefed Amit Shah on the situation in Manipur to which the home minister assured of making all possible efforts to restore normalcy in the state.
Awangbow quoted Amit Shah as terming violent activi-ties in the state as unfortunate, especially in the backdrop of the fast-paced development in Manipur.
Minister Awangbow also conveyed assurance given by Amit Shah that there would be no shortage of supply of essen-tial commodities in the state.
Works minister Govindas Konthoujam, IPR minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, PHE minister L Susindro Meitei, Social Wel-fare minister Heikham Dingo, Education minister Th Bas-anta Kumar, MLAs RIC Imo, Sapam Kunjakeshore, Leishiyo Keishing, Thongam Shanti, Dr Usham Deben and Khuraijam Loken also attended the press conference.
Apart from deployment of security personnel in Bishnu-pur district, the government has also strengthened pres-ence of security personnel at Moirangkhom Crossing, Ni-tyaipat Chuthek, Noney Tupul (NH-37), Lamlong Western Side, Khongnang Ani Karak, Lilasing Khongnangkhong, Leitanpokpi Police Out Post, Senjam Chirang, Kanto Sabal, Noney (Baralci, Palace Gate, Singda Dam, Chandrakhong, Phanjakhong, Ukhongshang, Salungpham, Serou, Lamlong, Minuthong, etc.