Manipur Governor Urges Police Chief to Enhance Public Safety and Security

Imphal, Jan 4 (NationPress) Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the Governor of Manipur, has instructed the state's Director General of Police, Rajiv Singh, to make the safety and security of the populace his top priority. He also urged officers from the Army and paramilitary forces to provide their complete support to the administration in sustaining law and order within the state, according to officials.

Just a day after taking office, Bhalla convened a high-level meeting with key security personnel at Raj Bhavan to assess the overall security landscape in the troubled region. An official from Raj Bhavan confirmed that the Governor led a security-focused meeting, thoroughly evaluating the state’s security conditions.

The official noted that in light of the current law and order challenges, the Governor scrutinized the security setup and its arrangements across the state, particularly concentrating on border regions.

Present at the security meeting were not only the DGP but also Manipur Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi, Commissioner of Home N. Ashok Kumar, Security Advisor to the Manipur government Kuldiep Singh, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) Maj Gen Ravroop Singh, GOC 57 Mountain Division Major General S.S. Kartikeya, Inspector General of CRPF Vipul Kumar, and senior officials from both the CRPF and BSF. The former Union Home Secretary was sworn in as the Governor of Manipur during a brief ceremony at Raj Bhavan on Friday.

Immediately following the swearing-in ceremony, Lt Gen Abhijit S. Pendharkar, GOC of Spear Corps, along with other senior military personnel, met with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan in Imphal on Friday.

The Army officials updated the Governor on the current security conditions within the state, particularly detailing security deployments across various areas, especially along the borders, as mentioned by the Raj Bhavan official.

In related news, after a violent mob attack on the office of the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Kangpokpi district on Friday evening, a significant number of security personnel have been deployed in the mountainous district.

A police official in Imphal reported that a large contingent of both central and state security forces, including Manipur police commandos, has been stationed at the headquarters of Kangpokpi district and surrounding areas.

In protest against the central forces' deployment in the district, a mob, accompanied by armed individuals, attacked the SP's office in Kangpokpi district on Friday evening, causing unrest that persisted late into the night.

A police statement indicated that a protest rally demanding the withdrawal of central security forces, organized by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) on Friday evening, escalated into violence.

The statement detailed how protesters attacked the SP's office, throwing stones and using petrol bombs. In response, security forces used adequate force to disperse the crowd, bringing the situation under control.

During this incident, Manoj Prabhakar, the SP of Kangpokpi District, sustained injuries, and several vehicles were damaged.

The police reported, “The SP has received necessary medical treatment and is now in good health, currently leading joint security forces to manage the situation.”