New Delhi: Agricultural activities have reportedly started in some vulnerable areas of the Imphal East district with security cover provided by the Manipur Police and central forces, Imphal Free Press reported.
However, several people have protested against the deployment of central forces in the farming areas, said another report.
On July 8, I.K. Muivah, Inspector General of Police (Ops), had told the news outlet about the state government’s deployment of 2,267 personnel from Manipur Rifles and Indian Reserve Battalion.
The police had said that for the Imphal West district, 822 personnel have been deployed; 298 personnel for Imphal East; 236 personnel for Bishnupur; 147 personnel for Thoubal; 204 personnel for Kakching; 200 personnel for Kangpokpi and 300 personnel for Churachandpur for the protection of farmers.
The police had informed that while conducting search operations, the state police and central forces destroyed two more bunkers, and recovered six more arms from the Imphal East district.
Also read: Exclusive: In Past 7 Years, Biren Singh Govt Has Issued Highest Number of Gun Licences in Northeast
The police also informed that about 127 nakas/checkpoints were installed in different districts of Manipur, both in the hill and the valley. It added that 298 persons were detained in connection with violations in different districts of the state.
Meanwhile, hundreds of women of Koirengei Awang village area on July 11 staged a protest against the authorities for sending Border Security Force (BSF) personnel to provide security to farmers during agricultural activities.
The personnel have been sent in Tingri, Khongnangpokpi, Chirik Loitong and Mapao areas.
The protesters told Imphal Free Press that during a recent public meeting, a decision was made to disallow any central forces, and allow only state forces, for the protection of farmers and paddy fields.
“Numerous farmers and villagers who went to the fields for farming activities have been seriously injured from gun attacks by the Kuki militants and hence, the committee, along with the villagers, had made demands to authorities concerned to deploy state forces in the area so that normal farming activities can continue,” Koirengei Awang Village Development Committee president Hijam Priyokumar told the media.
He said that the villagers were apprehensive to work in their paddy fields even if the BSF were stationed because of their non-retaliatory operational conduct.
“The fear of BSF just spectating while the Kuki militants attack is the biggest apprehension of the people; there is no use for such forces in the area, instead, exchange them with few state forces,” he said.