CRPF DG motivates CoBRA personnel to wipe out insurgency from Manipur
IMPHAL, Jun 6: CRPF DG (director general) Gyanendra Pratap Singh on Saturday motivated CoBRA personnel of the CRPF to work with zeal and vigour to wipe out insurgency from Manipur.
The DG, who was on a three-day visit in Manipur, interacted with the CoBRA personnel who are undergoing a 45-day pre-induction training.
It may be noted that the Union ministry of home affairs, on May 31, approved the deployment of two elite CoBRA battalions to Manipur to strengthen the security grid and conduct targeted operations against armed groups fueling ethnic violence, marking the first-time deployment of these specialized jungle warfare units to the state.
Accordingly, at least three companies of the CoBRA commandos have recently arrived in Imphal and they are undergoing a 45-day pre-induction training before operational deployment, an official source said.
CRPF DG GP Singh on Saturday also visited the CoBRA personnel and interacted with them.
Addressing troops, the DG commended their stellar role in various operational theatres and emphasized on operations while caring for the sentiments of the local population wherever they operate, the CRPF said, in a post on its official Facebook page on Saturday.
The 207 CoBRA from West Bengal and the 210 CoBRA from Assam) with approximate strength of 1,000 highly trained commandos per battalion were to be deploy in the restive state before the monsoon, as per the ministry.
The deployment follows a prolonged period of unrest and violence crisis. At a time, the state is yet to get a respite from the Meitei-Kuki conflict since May 2023, a security overdrive triggered by a fresh spell of Naga-Kuki violence conflict escalated from a drunken brawl at Litan in Ukhrul district on Feb 7 last.
The CRPF DG who arrived in Imphal on his three-day visit in the state on June 4 had earlier visited various posts of the CRPF in Churachandpur, Bishnupur and Ukhrul districts before calling on with the Governor Ajay Kumar Balla and chief minister Y Khemchand Singh in Imphal on Friday.
During the field tours, the DG interacted with troops, assessed camp security and infrastructure, and discussed operational challenges on the ground.
After the field tours, the DG accompanied by top officials of the Central armed police force met with the state Governor at Imphal Lok Bhavan on Friday.
The meeting discussed CRPF’s comprehensive roadmap to eliminate insurgency and restore lasting peace in the state.
The CRPF, in a post on Facebook, said “the discussions focused on enhancing operational preparedness, strategic planning, and the CRPF’s comprehensive roadmap to eliminate insurgency and restore lasting peace in Manipur.”
Imphal Lok Bhavan, in a statement, also said that during the meeting, the CRPF officers apprised the Governor of the prevailing security situation and the measures being implemented across the state.
It added that emphasis was laid on strengthening security arrangements to safeguard the lives and property of citizens, maintain peace and stability, and address emerging challenges effectively.
The DG accompanied by the senior officials later called on the state chief minister at the latter’s secretariat.
During the audience, the chief minister lauded the CRPF for its role in maintaining peace and law and order in the state.