Security beefed up ahead of R-Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 20 2014 : Elaborate and stringent security measures have been put in place in all sensitive areas of the State, particularly Imphal so as to ensure smooth conduct of the ensuing Republic Day celebrations.

"We have been carrying out random search operations at various suspected areas of Imphal city and its surrounding areas since the last few days.

In addition to intensifying foot patrolling, we have also fanned out maximum mobile teams," a senior police officer manning Imphal West district said today.

All police stations in the district have also been kept on high vigil round the clock so that they are well prepared to face any eventualities, he said adding that central paramilitary forces are also keeping sharp vigil beyond the AFSPA-free area so as to avert any kind of subversive activities.

Police commandos also carried out house �to-house verification at suspected areas at the outskirts of the city, the police officer said.

Yesterday too, police commandos conducted search operation in some pockets of Thangmeiband area in Imphal West and Takhel area in Imphal East where various people were verified one after another, said a source.

Security rings have also been set up at all district headquarters and other strategic areas of Bishnupur, Ukhrul, Thoubal, Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Chandel and Senapati.

Recently DGP Shahid Ahmed personally supervised the security arrangements at some parts of the city including Paona Bazaar, Thangal Bazaar and Bir Tikendrajit road.

The exercise has been taken up in the wake of the string of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and hand grenade explosions triggered by suspected rebels in the city areas on and off since the last few months , killing and injuring many people including migrant workers.

Nine labourers from Assam were killed and eleven others injured when a hand grenade exploded inside a makeshift camp at Khoyathong on September 13 last year, while an IED blast at Yaiskul Moirangkhom on October 30 killed three persons besides injuring four others.

Notably the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) was lifted from seven assembly segments in Imphal West and Imphal East districts following a large scale public protest in 2004 in the aftermath of the rape and murder of Thangjam Manorama by Assam Rifles.

Being the capital city, all major Government offices and institutions including Raj Bhavan , CM's bungalow , official residences of Ministers, MLAs and senior officials, state secretariat, headquarters of all state government departments and branch office of various central government units are located at the city .

Earlier the CM's bungalow-cum-office and the Raj Bhavan came under bomb attacks although no major casualty or damage was done.

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