Manipur will soon have full security coverage: Security Advisor

Imphal: Manipur will soon have full security coverage following the deployment of 90 additional Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) companies, totaling up at 288 CAPF companies stationed in the state.

Security Advisor to Manipur government Kuldiep Singh said this on Friday while addressing reporters here, after a security review meeting at the Secretariat (South Block).

He said 198 CAPF companies are currently operational, and the newly arrived forces will be deployed in the coming days.

The meeting was attended by chiefs of the Army, Assam Rifles (AR), Manipur Police, Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

The deployment of additional security forces aim to protect lives and ensure security in fringe and vulnerable areas across Manipur, the security advisor said.

Security forces have recovered approximately 3,000 looted arms. Till date a total of 258 individuals including militants have been killed in the crisis, he added.

Commenting on the Jiribam incident, the security advisor said the last rites of nine bodies were conducted peacefully on Friday at Ningshingkhul, Jiribam district, under tight security arrangements.

Among the deceased were six individuals (three women, two children and an infant) allegedly abducted by armed militants while retreating after an attack on Borobekera Police Station and a nearby CRPF post on November 11 killing 10 armed militants. Two more bodies from the same relief camp at Borobekera were recovered, including one charred and another partially burned. The ninth casualty was reportedly killed by a stray bullet fired by police while managing a mob, he added.

No individuals have been arrested in connection with the six individuals killing case. Security forces have been conducted search operation, said Kuldiep.

Three cases related to the Jiribam incident have been transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the security advisor said.

These include the killing of a woman on November 7, the encounter of 10 armed militants on November 11, and the killing of six individuals by armed militants, he added.