Heavy security bandobast thrown around Imphal
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 23 2024: Heavy security measures have been put in place in Imphal while Kangla Fort has been made off limits till January 26 following the summon of 40 Meitei MLAs for a meeting by cultural organisation Arambai Tenggol on January 24 and in view of the Republic Day celebration which has been boycotted by different underground organisations.

Even media persons weren't allowed to enter Kangla Fort by the security personnel.Imphal hasn't seen such a level of security arrangements in the last 20 years or so ahead of Republic Day celebration and it speaks volume of the fact that the large deployment of Central and State security forces in the State's capital, especially at the periphery of Kangla has little to do with the full dress rehearsal parade ahead of Republic Day celebration.

Heavy security bandobast thrown around Imphal

The security measures also come amid the boycott call of Republic Day given by different underground organisations including SOREPA, CorCom, ASUK as in previous years.

From how the heavy deployment of Central and State forces at key locations of Imphal, though instances of gunfights mostly take place in the periphery of valley districts, it can be assumed that the Government may be anticipating a major crisis which requires extra hands to handle.

A combined team of Central and State forces including Army have been deployed at all the four entry points of Kangla viz eastern gate, western gate, northern gate and southern gate and inside the Fort as well along with armoured vehicles while frisking and checking drive has begun in full swing at important junctions of Imphal East and Imphal West.

Tight security measures have also been taken up in the surrounding areas of Kangla Fort by giving special duty to Army, Assam Rifles, State police, Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and Home Guard and Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel.

A large number of Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel have been deployed in front of the Chief Minister's Bungalow and Kanglapat Road stretch too while combined forces along with armoured vehicles have been stationed at Konung Mamang, Keishampat, Chingmeirong, Moirang-khom, Khoyathong and other important junctions heading towards Kangla Fort.

It may be mentioned that the security arrangements came amid the visit of a three member team of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) led by Interlocutor of Suspension of Operation (SoO) AK Mishra yesterday.

The MHA team has held two rounds of meeting with Arambai Tenggol so far but what exactly transpired during the talks couldn't be ascertained as of yet other than those revealed by Korounganba Khuman who is the leader of the organisation by many on his Facebook post.

In his Facebook post, Korounganba said that they have urged the MHA team to implement National Register of Citizens with 1951 as the base year, abrogate the Suspension of Operation pact with Kuki militants, shift the refugees from Myanmar staying in the State to Mizoram, expedite border fencing, delist Kukis from the Scheduled Tribe list and to withdraw Assam Rifles from Manipur.