During a high-level security review meeting chaired by Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday, it was decided to further intensify the ongoing search operations to arrest those involved in violence and criminal incidents in Manipur.
A senior official of the Chief Minister's Office said that it was also decided in the meeting that the security personnel deployed at various security posts should strengthen the security arrangements in their respective jurisdictions, so that further such incidents can be prevented and law and order can be maintained.
In this security review meeting held at the Cabinet Hall of the Chief Minister's Secretariat, Babupada, Imphal, a detailed review of the current law and order situation in the state was taken and measures to improve the security environment were discussed.
This meeting was called in view of the recent violent incidents. On Thursday there was violence in Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi district and on Friday there was an attack in New Haven in Ukhrul district, in which a total of five people lost their lives.
On Thursday, a Kuki woman was killed in a gunfight between two rival groups in Kangpokpi district, while on Friday, four Naga civilians (including two women) lost their lives in an attack by armed extremists in Ukhrul district.
The CMO official said that in the meeting, steps to further strengthen the security system in sensitive and unsafe areas of the state were also discussed in detail. The discussion was important given that recent events have raised concerns about the security situation.
The meeting reviewed the deployment of security forces and stressed the need for better vigilance and coordination between various security agencies operating in Manipur. Besides, the responsibility of the security personnel deployed at different posts was also emphasized to ensure effective security in their respective jurisdictions.
Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, Chief Secretary Rajiv Singh Thakur, Security Advisor Kuldeep Singh, Manipur Director General of Police (DGP) Mukesh Singh and Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Lahari Dorji Latu attended the meeting.
The high-level meeting was attended by senior officials from Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF) and other central security agencies as well as officials from the state home department.
Meanwhile, 'Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity' (COCOMI), the main organization representing the Meitei community in Manipur, has criticized the state government over the long-running unrest in the state. The organization alleges that the government's actions and continued inaction have raised serious questions over its commitment to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
In a statement, COCOMI alleged that the current situation reflects the role of the state government in what the organization termed a 'proxy war' waged by the central government.
The organization also raised the question whether the central government was deliberately allowing armed and unruly elements to enter the state by providing them logistical support. This has raised concerns over the government's intentions and its handling of the current crisis.
COCOMI said that people are continuously raising questions on the intentions of the government. This is because political leaders one after the other are appealing for cooperation from the public to solve the crisis, but are not giving any proper response to the constructive suggestions given by the people.
The organization said that many practical suggestions have already been given by the public to improve the current situation and restore normalcy. The organization alleges that the government has failed to take any concrete action on these suggestions.
This criticism of COCOMI has come at a time when there are concerns about the security situation in Manipur. Frequent incidents of violence and attacks there are posing challenges to efforts to restore peace and stability.
The organization raised questions over the state government's way of resolving the long-running crisis and said that along with appealing to the public for cooperation, concrete steps and meaningful action should also be taken to address the concerns and suggestions of the people.