CM Biren mulls joint posting of Meetei, Kuki recruits
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal/Dergaon, December 23 2024: Chief minister N Biren Singh on Monday said the newly recruited police cadets, including those from Meetei and Kuki communities, will be posted together as a "team" in an attempt to bring back peace in the ethnic violence-hit state.

Nearly 2,000 recruits of the Manipur Police passed out from the Lachit Borphukan Police Academy, Dergao on Monday, strengthening the force in the state.

Assam and Manipur Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and Biren Singh attended the ceremony as the chief guests.

"The community-wise division took place due to the present situation.

It was not like this earlier, and I will not allow this to happen in future, " the CM told reporters after the ceremony.

The newly trained personnel will have to do everything together like they trained here, he asserted.

"We have to start working together to bring peace to the state.

Their postings will be together.

We will not break the team.

We will try to restore the unity of earlier Manipur," Biren said.

Out of the 1,946 passed-out recruits of Manipur Police from the Lachit Borphukan Police Academy here, the caste distribution of them is diverse with 62 per cent being Meeteis, 12 per cent Kukis and the remaining 26 per cent belonging to the Naga and other tribes.

Asked about the ongoing law and order situation in Manipur, the chief minister said it is complicated and will take time to normalise.

"We all have seen that peace is returning to the state," he said.

On the recent arrests of Bangladesh nationals entering India illegally in Manipur, the CM said it is not his state's issue alone.

"Bangladeshis illegally entering India are being arrested in Manipur, Assam, Tripura, Arunachal.

We all have to tackle it together as it is our region's issue," Biren stressed.

CM Biren also expressed gratitude to his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma and his government for making arrangements to provide basic training to the huge contingents of Manipur Police during the difficult time Manipur had been facing, and for providing the space for training newly recruits from Manipur.

He maintained that due to the unprecedented crisis in the state, some of the families and guardians of the recruits could not attend the event.

Therefore, with ministers and MLAs participating in the parade, the state government has represented the people of Manipur in expressing happiness and joy for those recruits who completed the training, he added.

Biren further mentioned that being a Manipuri, we should honour the DGP of Assam and senior officers who have put in heart and soul for providing the training to all the new recruits from Manipur.

The newly recruits acquired the status of trained personnel with their support and the training provided at Lachit Barphukan Police Academy, he remarked.

Biren recalled that during his first term as the CM of Manipur, he approached PM Narendra Modi and the then union home minister Rajnath Singh, requesting them additional state forces to guard the long stretches of National Highways in Manipur sector, which was endorsed the central government suggesting establishment of two IRB units.

As such, he appreciated the PM and other central leaders including union home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh for their support and concern for the state.

Biren continued that although the recruitment process was carried out earlier, the results could not be declared immediately due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The process for result declaration was initiated after recovering from the pandemic, he explained.

Urging the newly trained personnel to share their experiences with their families and near ones, on how they stayed and acquired training together as one, regardless of the communities they belong to, the CM stressed that the personnel, together, should become the beacons in the process of restoring peace and tranquillity in Manipur.

He then advised the new recruits that once they wear the uniform, they are Indian soldiers and do not represent any particular community.

Biren also informed that the mode of transport for returning of the trained personnel had been arranged as per their conveniences - either through flights, buses and trains, on their request.

He further wished them safe return to Manipur and asked them to maintain the same oneness they showed, during their training in Assam and work together for a better Manipur.

Rajya Sabha MP (Manipur) Leishemba Sanajaoba, ministers and MLAs of Assam and Manipur, Assam DGP and special DGP, senior army and police officials, parents and guardians, and other officials also attended the programme among others.

The intensive 44-week basic training course for 1984 Manipur Police recruits commenced at the academy in January.

"Of the 1,984 recruits who began training, 1,946 passed out.

Unfortunately, two recruits died due to medical conditions and the remaining opted out for medical and personal reasons, " said an officer.

The Lachit Borphukan Police Academy (LBPA) was chosen for this programme due to its "successful track record in training recruits over the past two years", where nearly 7,000 were effectively trained, Assam Police official claimed.

The initial training period was 44 weeks, but this was extended as there was a two-week mid-term break in June 2024, and most of the recruits reported late after the recess, he said.

"Given the ongoing law and order challenges in Manipur and their possible deployment in a high-risk environment, additional emphasis was placed on endurance training, including long-distance speed marches, firing proficiency, tactical and intensive unarmed combat (UAC) training," Assam DGP GP Singh said.

To foster mental toughness and unit cohesion, special focus was given to national integration training, building esprit de corps and enhancing cohesiveness among the riflemen, he added.

The comprehensive training programme included physical fitness, proficiency in handling small arms, unarmed combat (UAC), crowd control, disaster management, law and policing, soft skills development and tactical training.

The recruits were drawn from nine Manipur-based India Reserve Battalions and six Manipur Rifles units.

He also said that upon arrival, the recruits' fitness levels were a matter of concern as 50 per cent were overweight, including five per cent who were classified as obese.

"By the end of the training, only five per cent remain overweight, primarily due to chronic medical conditions.

Additionally, 31 per cent of the recruits fall within the 30-40 years age bracket, which posed additional challenges for the trainers," he added.

Since 2022, the training methodology at LBPA has been revamped to incorporate scientific and practical approaches in line with contemporary policing requirements, the official added.

(With inputs from Agencies) .

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