Activating process of Heirok SPOs starts
First batch head for 1 month training at Pangei
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 20: Out of 300 SPOs selected from Heirok, 175 personnel have headed to Manipur Police Training Centre, Pangei for arms training.

Thoubal District Police made the whole arrangement for transportation of the SPOs from Heirok to Pangei today.

Thoubal District Police made a publicity campaign this morning at Heirok asking the selected SPOs to assemble at the IRB post located at Heirok Part II.

To the publicity campaign of the Thoubal District Police, many selected SPOs responded and came to the IRB post but there were many other selected SPOs who refused to come out.

The first batch of the selected SPOs of Heirok getting ready to be taken to Pangei for training

On the other hand, there were some people who lined up the road and cheered the SPOs when they came out with their beddings, bags and trunks for arms training at Pangei.

The SPOs were then taken to Pangei in eight buses amidst police escorts.

The remaining SPOs who refused to come out today would be taken to Pangei after asking them to report at the Heirok Part II IRB post tomorrow morning.

Interacting with media persons, some people of Heirok said that Assam Rifles troops, BSF personnel, IRB and commando personnel have been patrolling the limits of Heirok in the night time following restrictions imposed by the proscribed UNLF and KYKL upon the movement of Heirok people in the aftermath of the establishment of SPOs.

Before the Government came up with the initiative to set up SPOs in response to the demand of Heirok people for guns for self-defence, Meira Paibis used to keep vigil in Heirok localities at night, they conveyed.

Disclosing that the movement of Heirok people have been severely curtailed, they informed that sometimes commandos provided security escorts to some Heirok people while going to neighbouring Wangjing.

Moreover, 12 passengers which earlier plied along Imphal-Heirok route has also suspended their service.

If any villager wishes to travel to Imphal, he or she must go to Wangjing first in an auto-rickshaw before he/she boards a bus there for Imphal.

Meanwhile, a public meeting was held today at Heirok Umang Laikol on the unfolding situation in the locality.