Security on high alert in Manipur

Imphal, Jan 12 : Security in and around the VIPs residential areas in Imphal have been beefed up further in a run-up to the Republic Day celebration, 2009 to prevent any insurgent activity in the said areas.

Meanwhile, not only the installations neighbouring to the chief minister's bungalow and Raj Bhavan, other installation nearby the state Assembly Complex are likely to face the same fate of DIPR office near CM bungalow as government is considering for removing the same for the security at the Assembly.

Night policing and round the clock security coverage in and around the Imphal to have vigilant on the movement of militants have started conducting, said an official source adding that police are also assisting by the Manipur Rifles and IRB in the vigilant.

A total of 25 mobile patrolling teams including quick response team securing in and around the city area to check infiltration and movement of insurgents have been intensified.

Frequent verification of security personnel deploying in the vital installation and VIP zone areas are also conducting twice a day by senior MR, IRB and police officers not below the rank of SP or CO, the source said.

Official here said, the security measures have been step-up following information received from the Union ministry of Home Affairs that overall security situation during the festivities throughout this month (January) including the Muhararram, Makara Sankaranti and Republic Day celebrations remains sensitive and fragile especially in the aftermath of the recent terror strikes in Mumbai.

The security atmosphere stands further vitiated following the growth of separatist, anti establishment ideologies and linkages among the various groups, acquisition of weaponry by different extremists/terrorist groups and increasing sophistication in their planning to carry out subversive acts, targeting of VIPs, vital installations, iconic institutions and major national events/occasions/ festivals figure high on their agenda and various inputs indicate their resolve, capability and high level of preparedness to cause damage and disruption by taking advantage of weak and vulnerable aspect of security arrangement, the source said.

All police forces and officers, right down to police station level have been instructed to remain alerts.

Local intelligences machineries have also been asked to sensitize to the prevailing threats perceptions and gear up to the extent possible to ensure an extremely high level of vigilance to prevent the occurrence of any untoward incidents throughout the month, it added.

In Manipur, militants have been boycotting the Indian Republic Day Celebration every year since the last around 20 years by imposing general strike across the state.

At some instances they had also carried out attack and ambush to the security forces with the approaching of the day.

Meanwhile, state government has informed the Union home ministry of home affairs about the opening of state Lottery building at 1st MR complex as "Save House" for the employees under militants threat and preparation for the accommodation of Special Security Guard (SSG) of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for the protection of the chief minister, O Ibobi, the source added.

Government further informed that removal of offices nearby the vital installation, bungalow/Assembly complex and chief minister's secretariat and Raj Bhavan are in good progress.