Ukhrul, May 18: Security Advisor to the Manipur government, Kuldiep Singh, has informed that some central forces were withdrawn from the state due to the ongoing 18th Lok Sabha elections in other states. Kuldiep Singh briefed Governor Anusuiya Uikey on Thursday evening regarding the law and order situation in the ethnically strife-torn state.
This latest development comes amid growing protests against the government’s move to withdraw central security forces from vulnerable areas, creating panic among the locals living in and around the fringes.
A statement issued by Raj Bhavan stated that the Security Advisor informed the Governor that the forces withdrawn would likely return to Manipur after the election and assured that redeployment would take place.
Singh further informed Governor Uikey about the deployment of central forces along the fringe areas to prevent any further untoward incidents.
He also informed the Governor that central forces are being engaged in guarding state armories and escorting vehicles along the two national highways, i.e., NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur road) and NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam road).
Governor Uikey asked Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh to take all possible measures to prevent any untoward incidents and ensure the safety and security of the people.
Meanwhile, according to official sources, a total of 256 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were deployed in different parts of Manipur amid the prevailing situation in the state. However, following the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) ordering the withdrawal of around 5,000 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel from Manipur due to the Lok Sabha polls across the country, around 198 companies have been withdrawn from the state.
At present, around 58 companies of CAPF are stationed in Manipur. Some forces which were withdrawn from Manipur last month for Lok Sabha election duties will return to the state to aid in law and order duties, it added.