Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 12:
With insurgency problem causing a big headache to both the Central and State Governments it will be little surprise to know that total strength of State police is 12,343 till January 1 this year.
The total police strength comprising of Manipur Police, Manipur Rifles, IRB and other subsidiary law enforcing agencies is in addition to presence of even larger number of Indian army and Central para-military force personnel deployed in the State to contain militancy.
Predictably among the districts, Imphal West occupies the top of the chart in number of police presence while Tamenglong district ranks at the bottom.
Including the Superintendent of Police, Imphal West district police current have 1618 personnel strength compared to 2010 sanctioned rank and file of the district police scattered in eight police stations.
In five police stations of Imphal East district the total strength is reported to be 335, including the SP out of sanctioned posts of 396.Thoubal district is marshalled by 351 police personnel including the SP against the prescribed strength of 364 while the Bishnupur district police figure stands at 239 which is 46 less than sanctioned strength.
Informed sources cited current strength and sanctioned post imbalance to voluntary retirement and procedural leniency regarding transfer and posting.
Significantly, Chandel district has 10 excess police personnel than the sanctioned posts of 209 as sources disclosed that owing to various factors personnel and officials of the State�s police department prefers the district due to close proximity to the commercial town of Moreh.
Trouble prone Churachandpur district is manned by 182 policemen in contrast to 239 sanctioned posts whereas only 143 police personnel and officials are deployed to assist Tamenglong district administration.
The prescribed strength for the district is 184.Including the SPs, Senapati and Ukhrul districts have 268 and 194 police personnel each against the sanctioned posts of 322 for the former district and 237 for the latter.
Among the Manipur Rifles battalion whose prescribed strength are 910 each, 1st MR has 861 personnel including the Commanding Officer while the second Battalion has current strength of 816, followed by 736 in the Fifth Battalion, 770 in 6th MR, 756 in the Seventh and 778 in the 8th battalion of the state security force.
Regarding IRB strengths each prescribed to enroll 963 personnel, the 1st IRB has 915 men including its CO, 2nd IRB is assisting State machinery with 900 men, 3rd IRB by 920 personnel while 4th IRB presently has only two.
Mentioned may be made that recruitment results for 4th IRB men had not been declared till date.
Under a Superintendent of Police officer, Criminal Investigation Department (Special branch) collects information and conducts probe with a total strength of 419 personnel which is 37 less than the prescribed number.
On the other hand, CID (Crime Branch) is executing its assignment with 64 personnel at its disposal.
Director General Control Room (DGCR) monitor security related matters with an SP and 42 men.
The sanctioned post is 57.To control drug smuggling and abuse of harmful substances, Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) carries out its tasks with only 12 personnel including the SP while the sanctioned post is 25.Though rampant corruption cases having taken a vice like grip in the Manipuri society, the Vigilance Department with an SP has 32 personnel - one less than the prescribed number.
CMT (CP) ensures mobility of the state forces with seven men under the SP which is four more than the prescribed strength while CMT (W) is manned by 40 personnel.
Compared to sanctioned posts of 38 personnel and officer, Manipur Police Radio (CP) facilitates swift communication among the security forces operating in Manipur with 29 personnel while 478 Wireless Staffs are involved in keeping the momentum.
Out of 17 sanctioned personnel, Forensic Science is manned by 11 men.