Hovercrafts will arrive today
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 15 2011:
Three hovercrafts purchased from the USA, to be used in counter insurgency operations in the Loktak lake areas, will arrive tomorrow, an official source said today.
The hovercrafts with a capacity to carry 10 different kinds of sophisticated weapons can be put to operational use 200 to 210 days a year.
The crafts recently arrived at Kidderpore in Kolkata, the source said disclosing that the air-cushioned vehicles (ACVs) are on the way to Imphal from Guwahati.
As soon as the hovercrafts arrive, they will be introduced to the Loktak Protection Force (LPF), specially set up for domination of the Lake.
The state police has already opened four stations of the LPF at strategic points.
On arrival, the ACVs will be transferred at Toubul where there is a post of the VDF (Village Defense Force).
The post will be used as an outpost of Bishnupur police for the time being and trial runs will also be conducted there.
Each hovercraft can carry two portable rocket launchers, 7.62 M Rifles, Signals, 9mm Carbines, 9mm Pistols, along with 1000 rounds 7.62 M Rifles, 3000 rounds of 9mm carbines, 100 rounds of .38 pistols and cartridges of signals and four radar bombs.
The kind of hovercrafts bought to flush out militants based in the Loktak Lake is one of the best of its kinds used in countries in Europe, said the official source.
Hovercraft sizes range from of 5.8 to 6.5 meter length having a width from 2.3 to 2.5 meter.
The weight ranges are from 1100 kg to 1600 kg and the load capacity is from 500 to 600 kgs with the capability of carrying seven persons at a time.
It has a speed range from 40 to 60 kilometer per hour.
The hovercrafts which Manipur has purchased are the HG-1000 brand hovercrafts having a capacity of carrying five passengers which is to be manned by two crew officers with eight sailors and are manufactured by the USA based company, Hover Auto-crafts Industry.
The same brand is used by Oklahoma County Police, Mississippi, USA and it has seen action there.
Manipur purchased the hovercrafts under the central sponsored modernization of police for domination of Loktak Lake which is considered a haven for insurgent outfits operating in the valley areas of the state.
The union ministry of home affairs had sanctioned and released ' 5.23 crore for buying the ACVs.
The home department made the proposal for buying the hovercrafts to patrol and dominate Loktak lake in December 2008 citing its handicap in dealing with the activities of the insurgents hiding and taking shelter in the Loktak area.