Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 28:
With the task of providing security coverage along National Highway-53 being handed over to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Assam Rifles and Army personnel deployed earlier along the said route would be pressed into service for counter-insurgency operation.
A reliable source informed The Sangai Express that the new arrangement has been made after the recent success of the Central forces including the CRPF in clearing the route of anti-social elements.
Earlier, the stretch of the National Highway from Jiribam to Imphal was dominated by various underground outfits whose writs ran large, the source added.
The success of the Central forces in driving out the UGs has also enabled the BRTF to speed up the road construction which had been delayed due to security reasons, the source said.
Presently, there are at least 23 security posts of CRPF, Assam Rifles and Army along the National Highway from Jiribam to New Keithelmanbi.
Setting up of many more new posts are also in the pipeline and scouting is on for suitable sites, the source disclosed.
Informing that the posts of the Assam Rifles at Kambiron, Noney, Nungba, Waikhong, Awang Khul and Setjang have been handed over to the CRPF on August 26, the source, however, said this change over would not affect the already existing Battalion headquarters of the Assam Rifles and personnel would be deployed for area sensitisation and counter-insurgency operation.
So far four battalions of CRPF have been posted to provide security along the road, apart from the existing three AR battalions, the source.
The protection of the Irang bridge, which was dismantled during the ANSAM-sponsored economic blockade has been entrusted to the CRPF although the area was under the command of Manipur Rifles and Assam Rifles, the source informed.
The sites where the CRPF posts have been set up so far are Tatbung, Old Keiphundai, New Keiphundai, Makru, Nungkao, Oinamlong, Keimai, Sibilong, Barak, Kambiron, Nungba, Rengpang, Irang, Awangkhul Part-II, Awangkhul, Noney and Setjang.
The places where the posts of the Army and Assam Rifles are still operating are Nungba, Rengpang, Awangkhul, Kotlien and Keithelmanbi.