Imphal, November 15 2008: Following the decision of the state government to set up 43 police check posts in the greater Imphal areas to curb the ever rising underground insurgents' activities in and around Imphal city, the police department has started works on the matter.

However, even though 43 locations have been selected for setting up police check post within the periphery of greater Imphal, only 10 will be set up for the time being, and it has been learnt that the police department is targeting to complete the constructions by March 31 next year.

Official sources said that out of the approved funds for construction, Rs 20 crores under the Special Plan Assistance (SPA), the state government has sanctioned and released 70 percent of the total project cost.

The State Home Department is making necessary process for getting clearance from the Public Investment Board (PIB) chaired by the Chief Secretary through Finance Department for the constructions, which would be handled by the Manipur Police Housing Corporation, the sources disclosed.

The deployment of state IRB and MR personnel from most of the 43 locations have also been moved out.

Some of them are still deployed at certain locations, but it was not related with the setting up of the check posts.

A highly reliable official sources said that the state government decided to reduce the number of check posts to 10 only due to shortest of funds as the project was not included in the state budget allocation.

Installation of check posts to other locations may come up in the next financial year 2009-10, it added.

The 10 locations which state police department had selected and construction works by the Manipur Police Housing Corporation has commenced were at Lilongchajing with estimated cost of Rs 42.01 lakhs, Iroishembga (Rs.42.88 lakhs), Heirangkhoithong (Rs 41.84 lakhs), Patsoi (Rs 41.86 lakhs), Watham Leirak, Thangmeiband (Rs 41.68 lakhs), Chingmeirong (Rs 41.68 lakhs), Khongman Bashikhong (Rs 43.21 lakhs), Moirangkampu (Rs 44.72 lakhs), Top Khongnangmakhong (Rs 44.79 lakhs) and Kongba (Rs 44.80 lakhs) .

Source also said that for the construction of Sagolmang police station (upgraded from out post) with an estimated cost of Rs 3.48 crores is also under process for sanction as special LOC (plan) by the government from the finanicial year 2008-09 .

Mention may be made that in the wake of spate of militancy related fatalities in the early part of this current year including spate of killings of non-local labours in various part of the state, state police department started deploying IRB or MR personnel in the 43 selected places located to the main roads leading to Imphal city.

The state police department deployed them in order to check intrusion of unwanted elements to the Imphal areas to carry out violence activities.

Government has also sanctioned and released Rs 14 crores for the construction of police training centre at Jiribam under the housing and urban development head of the government.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs 20 crores.

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