BSF set to replace Assam Rifles in Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express
Shillong, August 10:
With the Centre indicating that Assam Rifles would be withdrawn from Manipur, deployment of BSF was almost certain in the trouble-torn north eastern State, where the civil disobedience movement entered its second day today.
SC Srivastava, Inspector General of BSF�s Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland (AMMN) frontier, headquartered here, told PTI the formal letter from the Government was expected to reach him �within a couple of days�.
Senior officials of the frontier headquarters here on condition of anonymity also said the deployment of BSF in Manipur was almost certain and �telephonic instruction� in this regard was also received from the Government.
Srivastava said he would himself pay a two-day visit to Manipur from tomorrow mainly to oversee his forces� operations and also to discuss the present security situation with the Director General of Police and other top brass of the State Government.
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil yesterday said the Centre was ready to withdraw Assam Rifles from Manipur if it was necessary to restore peace there.
At present three ad hoc battalions of BSF - two from the AMMN frontier and one from North Bengal frontier - were deployed in Manipur to assist the civil administration in maintaining law and order in the State, where agitation is on demanding the withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
The IG said the deployment of BSF battalions was extended upto August 31 by the Manipur Government.