Commandos to get more lethal weapons
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 19 2011:
In a major improvement to its arsenal, Manipur Police Commandos would be equipped with deadly sub-machine guns of MP5A3 series which are being used by US troops in urban warfare.
MP5A3 series of sub machine guns are made in Germany and has optimal range of 300 feet.
The sub-machine gun weighing 2.267 Kgs is generally used by US Air Force personnel in military operations under Star Gate Command.
A highly placed source informed The Sangai Express that the Ministry of Home Affairs took a decision to equip Manipur Police Commandos with these lethal sub-machine guns under the police modernisation programme.
The MHA would be procuring 775 numbers of MP5A3 sub-machine guns and Manipur Police Commandos would be equipped with these guns from this year.
The State Home Department has also sent necessary documents and letters to the Ministry of Home Affairs to equip Manipur Police with MP5A3 guns in view of the prolonged insurgency movement in Manipur.
Incidentally, more than 40 UG groups are operating in Manipur.
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Under the same police modernisation programme, the Ministry of Home Affairs would be providing 3500 rifles of AK series and 3000 Insas rifles within the current year, informed the source.
On the other hand, three hovercrafts procured from the USA for deployment in Loktak Lake against insurgents have been brought to Manipur and these war machines have been stationed at Toubul.
Moreover, a specialised force named Loktak Protection Force who would use the hovercrafts have been already set up to drive out UG cadres from Loktak lake.
Meanwhile, the State Govt has obtained bank guarantees from selected companies for procurement of CCTV cameras.
These CCTV cameras would be installed in Imphal city with a view to checking crimes in the State capital.