In the wake of ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, the Centre is set to deploy an additional 20-22 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in the region. This move comes post their withdrawal from the Amarnath Yatra security duty in Jammu and Kashmir, as per official sources on Tuesday.
The fresh deployment is on top of the approximately 125 CAPF units already stationed in Manipur since violent conflicts ignited in early May. The new reinforcements will involve companies from various factions of CAPFs, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). The goal is to fortify the state’s security framework.
The redeployment is facilitated by the conclusion of the Amarnath Yatra, with security personnel being relieved from their duties. The yatra saw a diminished number of pilgrims, resulting in its temporary suspension from August 23. Nonetheless, the yatra’s closure will be marked by the ‘Chari Mubarak’ procession on August 31, as previously scheduled.
The Amarnath Yatra, which started on July 1, was safeguarded by over 140 CAPF companies across two routes in Jammu and Kashmir. These companies, along with the Army units in the region, strengthened the security arrangement. Typically, a CAPF company comprises 70-80 personnel.
The root of the violence in Manipur can be traced back to the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in May. The march was a protest against the Meitei community’s push for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The unrest has since claimed over 160 lives and left several hundreds injured.
Additionally, 20 CAPF companies previously stationed for the Amarnath Yatra are slated to be assigned to Delhi. They will reinforce security for the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit on September 9-10.
CAPFs face a packed schedule in the forthcoming months. Roughly 300 companies are anticipated to oversee the assembly polls in five states – Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram later this year. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will finalise the required number of CAPF units based on the Election Commission of India’s requisition.
