Manipur security operations to be intensified to nab culprits behind violence, CM chairs high-level review meet

Imphal, November 14 (IANS): A high-level security review meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday, decided to further intensify ongoing combing operations to apprehend those involved in various incidents of violence and criminal activities in Manipur, officials said.

A senior official of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said the meeting also decided that security personnel deployed at various security posts must strengthen the security arrangements within their respective areas of responsibility to prevent further incidents and maintain law and order.

The security review meeting, held at the Cabinet Hall of the Chief Minister's Secretariat at Babupara in Imphal, undertook a detailed assessment of the prevailing law and order situation in the state and discussed measures to improve the overall security environment.

The meeting was convened in the wake of the recent violent incidents at Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi district on Thursday and an ambush at New Heaven in Ukhrul district on Friday, which claimed the lives of five people.

A Kuki woman was killed in a gunfight between two rival groups in Kangpokpi district on Thursday, while four Naga civilians, including two women, were killed in an attack by armed extremists in Ukhrul district on Friday.

The CMO official said the meeting also deliberated extensively on steps to further strengthen security arrangements in vulnerable and sensitive areas of the state, particularly in view of the recent incidents that have heightened concerns over the security situation.

The meeting reviewed the deployment of security forces and stressed the need for greater vigilance and coordination among the various security agencies operating across Manipur.

It also emphasised the responsibility of security personnel stationed at different posts to ensure effective security coverage in their respective jurisdictions.

Those who attended the meeting included Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakur, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Manipur Director General of Police (DGP) Mukesh Singh and Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo.

Senior officers of the Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), other central security agencies and officials of the state Home Department also attended the high-level meeting.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an apex organisation representing the Meitei community in Manipur, has criticised the state government over the prolonged unrest, alleging that its actions and continued inaction have raised serious questions about its commitment to restoring peace and normalcy in the state.

In a statement, COCOMI alleged that the prevailing situation reflected the state government's role in what it described as a proxy war being waged by the Union government.

The organisation also questioned whether the Union government was deliberately allowing armed and disruptive elements to enter the state by extending logistical support to them, raising concerns over the government's intentions and its approach towards addressing the ongoing crisis.

COCOMI said that people were increasingly questioning the intentions of the government, particularly as successive political leaders continued to appeal for public cooperation in resolving the crisis without adequately responding to constructive suggestions put forward by the people.

The organisation added that several practical suggestions had already been submitted by the public to address the prevailing situation and restore normalcy.

However, it alleged that the government had failed to take meaningful action on these suggestions.

COCOMI's criticism comes amid continuing concerns over the security situation in Manipur, where recurring incidents of violence and attacks have continued to pose challenges to efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability.

The organisation called into question the state government's approach to resolving the prolonged crisis, saying that appeals for public cooperation must be accompanied by concrete measures and meaningful action to address the concerns and suggestions of the people.