Imphal: As the farming season is in progress, security measures have been significantly strengthened to prevent any untoward incident and for safety of the farmers, said Manipur Police Control Room on Thursday.
The development came following reported attacks to Meitei farmers in fields, allegedly by Kuki militants, which called for protection of farmers from various quarters.
A Combined Headquarters (CHO) meeting was chaired by the security advisor, along with the chief secretary and the DGP, Manipur was held on June 28 with the participation of all security forces, to review the security arrangements related to farming and enhance co-ordination, and to prevent similar incidents which happened at Phubala, Bishnupur district recently, said a police statement.
“Manipur Police personnel are deployed in the vulnerable farming areas on both the hill and valley sides, assisting the central security forces in providing security to the farming areas and activities.”
Redeployment of Central Security Forces have been done in the vicinity of Phubala area to strengthen the security arrangements, the police control room said.
“Alert messages have been issued to all district superintendents of police of Manipur Police from Police Headquarter to immediately implement enhanced security protocols for ongoing farming and cultivation activities. Senior officers of Police are making personal visits at vulnerable areas to oversee the security arrangements. This includes the identification of vulnerable agricultural areas that may require increased security presence and surveillance.”
“Joint combing operations are being conducted on regular basis on fringe areas including deep areas inside the hills to flush out any miscreants. Flying squads and QRT have been set up by the administration for immediate assistance in case of any need.”
Several local co-ordination meetings have been held by District Administration and Police along with the public related to farming including hours of farming, the control room said.
It requested the public, particularly farmers, to remain vigilant and promptly inform the local police or security forces before proceeding to farming activities in vulnerable or sensitive areas.
