Security Lapses
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: Ocotber 04, 2014 -

Frequent occurrence of bomb blasts and armed attacks right under the nose of security personnel clearly shows the loopholes in the security setup of the State.

Manipur is one of the few states of India which have highest number of police personnel per lakh population and also ranks high in the density of police personnel.

According to a data of National Crime Records Bureau published in 2010, the State has 871 police personnel per lakh population and roughly 105 personnel in every 100 square kilometre area.

This figure of Manipur is much more than the National Capital Delhi or any other big states of India.

Besides the police personnel about 60,000 personnel of the Indian Army and Central Paramilitary Forces are also being deployed in every nook and corner of the State.

So, roughly about one lakh security personnel are being deployed for the security of 27 lakh people of the State.

However, the efficiency of these security personnel is a questionable matter.

Even if the insurgency movement has waned and there is not much activity of the rebel outfits of late, the effectiveness of these one lakh-odd security personnel is still very deplorable.

The lives and properties of the public cannot be secured fully by these security personnel.

Every now and then bomb blasts and armed attacks are happening in different parts of the State. This also indicates the failure of the intelligence units of the State Police and Army.

In fact, people are really worried about their security in the State.

While some global terrorist organization has claimed to have spread its tentacles even up to the Northeast, the State Government is simply remaining ‘idle’ by deploying some lethargic police personnel not to secure public lives and property, but simply to remain as silent spectators.

It was very ridiculous of the Chief Minister of Manipur to say that the CCTV cameras in Imphal area would be made fully functional soon.

His remark came just after the MG Avenue blast that claimed the life of one police commando and injured more than 20 civilians.

Those CCTV cameras were installed at key locations in Imphal area long time back, but the Government seemed to have undertaken the project not for surveillance. Probably, it was taken up just for the sake of some supply or contract work.

All these while, the CCTV cameras have been lying only as showpieces in the heart of Imphal City. Interestingly, some ‘bold’ people had even stolen the batteries and solar panels of these surveillance equipments.

Such is the preparedness of the State Home Department. The police personnel deployed even in high security zones seem to lack alertness.

Instead of being vigilant, they are glued to their mobile phones either talking or texting while on duty.

On the other hand, those personnel deployed in the outskirts of Imphal are attracted mainly to commercial vehicles and they ‘beg’ for their daily pocket money.

Such security lapses cannot be taken lightly. Manipur, being along the international border, is prone to attacks even from foreign terror groups.

Now, a big question arises as to how the state security forces will respond in case of any terror attack in the future.

Even now they cannot provide foolproof security to the public at such relatively calm situation.

The time has come for the State Home Department to manage and streamline its strong police force seriously to avoid any security lapse in the future.