Imphal, August 29 2009: Major chunk of Border Security Force (BSF) personnel deployed here in the state as counter insurgency operation force will be withdrawn for redeployment in other Naxal-affected States of India within this month.

An informed source said in view of enormity of Naxalite problems in the States of West bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand the BSF troops are to be pulled-out from manipur in accordance with the Central Government's plan to tackle the Naxalite scourge.

It is reported that out of six battalions of the BSF deployed here in the State five of the them would cease to function with effect from August 31 owing to the call of duty in the Naxal-affected zones of the three States.

The source also disclosed of the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh calling on the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram yesterday to reconsider the Centre's decision for pulling out BSF troops from manipur on ground that the withdrawal is likely to hamper counter-insurgency operation in the State.

Under the chairmanship of the CM the issue concerning pull-out of BSF troops was discussed at a meeting also attended by Chief Secretary DS Poonia and DGP Y Joykumar.

The meeting besides deliberating on the possible impact of the troops' withdrawal on the overall security scenario here in the State also noted that service of the BSF personnel are being utilised in development projects such as deployment at important construction sites like the Khuga and Maphou dams.

The source further reminded that on an earlier occasion an appeal was made against the Centre's directive to the State to provide some personnel/battalion of the IRB for deployment at Naxal-hit areas of the country.

Besides BSF troops, units of the Army, Assam Rifles and CRPF are at present assisting State security forces in counter-insurgency operations.

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