Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday reviewed the prevailing security situation and deployment of troops in Manipur for the second consecutive day and directed top officials to focus on restoring peace and order there as early as possible, sources said.
Union Home secretary Govind Mohan landed in Imphal on Monday to take stock of the situation in the state even as the Home ministry ordered reinforcement of 50 more companies of CAPF, besides the 20 companies inducted recently.
Meanwhile, the Army conducted a flag march in Imphal after the visit of 3 Corps commander Lt General GOC 3 Corps Lt Gen A S Pendharkar in the state on Sunday.
Taking to X Spear Corps said, Army undertook flag marches in Imphal at Sanjenthong, Khurai Lamlong Bridge, Thongju Bridge, Koirengei, Kangla Western Gate, Keishampat, Chungtham, Salam Mayai Leikai, Konthujam, Mayang Imphal, Hiyangthang, Nambol, Mantripukhri, Babupara, Wangjing, Thoubal and Lilong of Imphal East, Imphal West and Thoubal districts, in coordination with security forces.
The Union home ministry is rushing in about 5,000 paramilitary troops to Manipur to assist the state government in handling the current "volatile" situation in the Northeastern state.
The home minister reviewed the security situation of Manipur with top officials of the central and state governments, the sources said.
He also took stock of the deployment of central forces there and directed the officials to restore peace and order there as early as possible, they said.
This was the second consecutive day that Shah reviewed the situation of Manipur.
The situation in the Northeast state, which has been reeling from ethnic strife since May last year, has been volatile following protests and violence after the recovery of bodies of women and children.
The meeting followed an additional induction of 50 CAPF companies comprising more than 5,000 personnel to Manipur in view of the "challenging" security and law and order situation in the northeastern state, official sources said on Monday.
Centre had already rushed 20 additional CAPF companies, 15 from the CRPF and five from the BSF, to the state following an order issued on November 12 after violence broke out in Jiribam district and spread to other places.
While 35 units will be drawn from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the rest will be from the Border Security Force (BSF), according to agencies.
CRPF Director General (CRPF) Anish Dayal and senior officers from other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are also present in the state.
With last week's deployment, a total of 218 CAPF companies are now present in the state, which has been reeling from ethnic strife since May last year.
A deployment plan is being drawn to base these new 50 units in Manipur as per the violence levels being reported and the dynamic law and order situation in consultation with the state government and the MHA, the sources said.
The situation in Manipur has been volatile following protests and violence after the recovery of bodies of women and children.
On Saturday, the MHA said all security forces deployed in Manipur have been directed to take necessary steps to restore order and peace in the state.
It said armed miscreants from both communities in conflict have been indulging in violence, leading to unfortunate loss of lives and disruption in public order.
The home ministry said strict action would be initiated against anyone trying to indulge in violent and disruptive activities. Seeing the fragile situation, the Centre on Thursday reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur's six police station areas, including the violence-hit Jiribam.
More than 220 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in the ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year.
