IT News
Imphal, May 17:
Amid protests against the proposed withdrawal of Central troops from certain conflict-ridden areas of Manipur, some forces are set to be temporarily pulled out to assist with the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, a report by Indian Express said.
On Thursday evening, Kuldiep Singh, Security Advisor to the Manipur government, met with Governor Anusuiya Uikey to provide an update on the state’s prevailing law and order situation. According to a statement from the Governor’s secretariat, Singh informed Governor Uikey about the strategic deployment of Central forces along the fringe areas with mixed populations to prevent any untoward incidents.
Kuldiep explained that while some forces will be withdrawn temporarily to support the Lok Sabha elections, they are expected to return after the election process concludes. “Central forces are engaged in guarding state armouries and escorting vehicles along the two national highways, NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur road) and NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam road),” the statement read.
Governor Uikey emphasized the importance of maintaining security and urged the Security Advisor to take all possible measures to ensure the safety of the people.
In response to the ongoing ethnic violence that erupted on May 3 last year, the Manipur Government has deployed a significant number of Indian Army, Central paramilitary forces, and state police personnel to vulnerable areas, mainly in the foothills, to prevent further clashes.
The proposed withdrawal has sparked protests, primarily by women in the peripheral areas of the valley districts, who argue that the strife is far from over and that their safety would be compromised without the presence of security forces. Protesters have called for the cancellation of the withdrawal orders and have requested that new forces be deployed before the current troops are pulled out.
The government’s decision aims to balance the immediate needs of election security with the ongoing requirement for maintaining peace and stability in the region.
