Imphal, July 05: The demands related to Police, Vigilance Department, Fire protection and Control, Jail, Home Guards and Rehabilitation have been unanimously passed by the House today after making certain modification.

Giving his reply during the discussion of demands today, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who also in-charge of Home portfolio informed that House that for maintaining law and order in the State around 50 battalions of security forces including Assam Rifles, CRPF, BSF and Army over and above the State forces are being pressed into service.

For the purpose of counter insurgency purpose, 18 battalions of Assam Rifles and 4 battalions of BSF are being deployed in some parts of the hills and valley districts.

The CRPF personnel of the 12 battalions in the State are being used mostly in for providing security coverage at Airport, AIR, Raj Bhavan, Chief Minister's Bungalow as well as at the site of the projects being taken up by the Government.

They could not be effectively utilised for the purpose of counter insurgency, he added.

The Chief Minister went on to say that efforts are being made three more IRB battalions to strengthen the State forces besides filling up the vacant posts in the MR and Police Department.

With accomplishment of these tasks, there would be improvement in the law and order which would in turn speed up the process of development activities in the State, he expressed confidence.

On the problem of insurgency, the Chief Minister said existence of a large number of underground outfits operating actively in Manipur has given a big hurdle in proper maintenance of law and order in the State.

Even if the counter insurgency operations are being launched in the valley, the underground activists shift their based in the hills thus giving hardship despite presence of a large number of security forces, the Minister noted.

Since this situation could not remain forever like this, the underground outfits should accept the offer for peace talks at the earliest possible.

The State Government would also extend all possible help within its means to facilitate such talks.

On Rehabilitation scheme, the Chief Minister informed that out of the total 115 militants who have surrendered, most of them have been recruited in the Home Department and efforts are being made for providing suitable jobs to the remaining ones.

Instructions have also been given getting the prior approval of the Government at the time of appointment of Home Guards, their removal and transfer.

The Cabinet has also taken a decision on increasing the salaries of the Home Guards from Rs 1500 to 3000 and it is just awaiting the approval of the Finance Department.

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