Central police forces deployed in vulnerable areas

IMPHAL — A day after the report of removing the barricades set up between Phougakchao Ikhai and Kangvai covering about one kilometre stretch along the Imphal-Churachandpur road, the central armed police forces have been deployed at two fringe and vulnerable areas in the violence-hit Manipur today.

Confirming this, people familiar with the development said, “BSF troops will cover the post at High Canal Phubala, a highly vulnerable area in Bishnupur district.”

Similarly, one platoon of a central armed police force (CAPF) has been deployed at the Bethel village located opposite to Koutruk village under Sekmai police station in Imphal West district to stop any movement or firing from hillside, sources said. A CAPF team has also been deployed at the Koutruk area by setting up bunkers on the confidence-building measures undertaken by the security forces amid the challenging situation in the state, it added.

The IGP (Zone III), Nishit Kumar, also reportedly visited the said locations and briefed the security personnel deployed there to ensure that miscreants do not disrupt the atmosphere in those areas.

On Thursday, IGP (armed police/ operations), IK Muivah, informed that barricades set up between Phougakchao Ikhai and Kangvai covering about one kilometre stretch along the Imphal-Churachandpur road have been removed.

Meanwhile, as the situation slowly returned to a semblance of normalcy after a gap almost a month, the district authorities have extended the relaxed curfew timings for all areas in Imphal East and Imphal West districts from 5 am to 9 pm from Thursday onwards against the usual timing of 5 am to 6 pm.

Manipur has been witnessing ethnic violence between Kuki and Meitei communities since the first week of May, in which 175 persons were killed,1,108 others injured, 32 missing and nearly 50,000 people were displaced besides burning a number of villages and localities

Also read: SC questions Manipur Police for booking members of Editors Guild of India