Amid escalating violence, protests, 2 more CRPF battalions deployed to Manipur
Imphal: Amid growing unrest and student protests in Manipur, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to send two battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), totaling about 2,000 personnel, to the troubled northeastern state, officials announced on Tuesday night.
A senior police officer revealed that these CRPF battalions will be arriving from Telangana and Jharkhand and will be stationed in the tribal regions of Manipur, such as Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts.
Currently, Manipur already hosts over 60,000 personnel from various forces, including the Army, Assam Rifles, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) like the CRPF and the Border Security Force (BSF).
Sources noted that two Assam Rifles battalions had been reassigned from Manipur to Jammu and Kashmir and other northeastern areas. On Monday, thousands of tribal members from the Kuki-Zo community protested in Kangpokpi against the withdrawal of these battalions from their regions.
A police officer mentioned that investigations into recent drone bombings would be transferred to central agencies, while local authorities continue gathering evidence related to the incidents.
“We have already recovered the bomb fragments which have been sent to the forensic lab for testing to find out the chemicals used in them,” he said.
The Manipur Police have also urged students to protest peacefully and responsibly, cautioning them about misinformation circulating on social media.
“Some vested interest groups are instigating violence on social media. We are closely monitoring the social media posts and action would be taken as per law. False, concocted and pre-planned messages and fake videos posted on social media creates panic and confusion, leading to deteriorating law and order situation,” the officer said.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (Operations), I.K. Muivah, has strongly denied a retired security official’s reported comments that “there is no Manipur Police but only Meitei Police or Kuki Police".
Briefing the media, Muivah said, “It was an immature statement by the retired security official. Manipur Police comprises people from different communities, including Nagas, Meiteis, Manipuri Muslims, and non-Manipuris. There are also Christians, Muslims, and Hindus in the force."
In response to the unrest, the Manipur government has suspended mobile internet services in five districts and closed schools until September 12. This decision comes amid ongoing student protests due to escalating violence across the state.
Despite the curfew, over a thousand students took to the streets of Imphal for the second consecutive day on Tuesday. Security forces responded with tear gas and warning shots to disperse the crowds. The police reported that several individuals, including officers, sustained minor injuries and are receiving treatment at local hospitals.
On Tuesday evening, student representatives met with Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and presented a memorandum requesting measures to restore peace, control militant activities, and protect Manipur’s territorial integrity. “While giving a patient hearing to the students, the Governor said they are the future of our nation. He assured them of taking steps in the best interest of the students and the people of Manipur,” the statement said.
Authorities also reimposed curfew in Imphal East, Imphal West, and Thoubal districts to prevent further disturbances.
In a related development, BJP legislator Rajkumar Imo Singh, who is also the son-in-law of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, criticized the current deployment of around 60,000 central forces in Manipur, suggesting that their presence has failed to bring peace and that their removal might be more effective..
Agency