Manipur CM flags off 477 police vehicles, ₹196.61 crore MHA modernisation approved
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday, 25 May flagged off 477 newly acquired vehicles for the Manipur Police at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Parade Ground in Imphal, marking what he described as a significant milestone in the state force's modernisation drive. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved ₹196.61 crore for the modernisation of the state police, the Chief Minister said, aimed at strengthening the force's capacity to manage the ongoing security situation in the state.
Vehicles and What They Cover
The 477 vehicles inducted on Monday span a wide operational range: 100 Hero motorcycles, 39 Bolero B6 vehicles, 50 Bolero Neo vehicles, 74 Tata Yodha vehicles, 10 mine-protected vehicles, 20 Tata trucks, 30 Tata 407 vehicles, 20 Mahindra buses, 60 bulletproof Rakshak vehicles, 19 water tankers, 50 Bolero Camper vehicles, and 5 HMR vehicles. The fleet was provided under the Centre's 'Assistance to States for Modernisation of Police' scheme.
Director General of Police Rajiv Singh confirmed that 54 per cent of the vehicles would be deployed in the hill districts, with the remaining 46 per cent allocated to the valley districts — a deliberate tilt toward the areas most affected by the ethnic conflict that erupted on 3 May 2023.
What the Government Said
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh said that no state could sustain peace and security without a well-equipped police force. He acknowledged the role of Manipur Police personnel during the ethnic violence, noting that they had discharged their duties with dedication and courage, often at personal risk. He also announced that the present government had revised ration money for police personnel — unchanged for a prolonged period — and enhanced uniform allowances.
Manipur Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh said the programme reflected the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the direction of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in bolstering police and security forces nationally. He stressed the need for strong public-police relations and urged personnel to remain approachable and public-friendly.
Operational Gains and Key Achievements
DGP Rajiv Singh highlighted several enforcement milestones achieved alongside the modernisation effort. The Anti-Extortion Cell has so far resulted in the arrest of approximately 1,000 persons. Under the state government's anti-drug campaign, more than 700 persons have been arrested and around 600 cases registered. The DGP also disclosed that Manipur Police has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Security Guard (NSG) for specialised training programmes for state police personnel.
Broader Security Context
The vehicle induction comes more than two years after ethnic violence first broke out in Manipur on 3 May 2023, a conflict that has strained the state's law enforcement infrastructure and drawn in central forces. Chief Minister Khemchand Singh expressed gratitude to the Army, Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and other agencies for their continued support. He also appealed to the public to discourage violence and provocative activities during agitations and rallies.
The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, and senior officers from the Army, CRPF, and other security agencies. With enhanced mobility and specialised vehicles now in place, authorities say the focus shifts to intelligence strengthening and community cooperation to consolidate the fragile peace.