NEW DELHI: The Manipur government has requested for 30 additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), including specialised units such as the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and the Rapid Action Force (RAF), from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The security agencies are planning to intensify operations against militant groups across the state, which has witnessed intermittent ethnic violence since May 2023.
Sources said the request comes amid heightened security concerns and the administration’s efforts to maintain a sustained security presence in vulnerable and sensitive areas. They added that the additional forces are expected to bolster counter-insurgency operations, area domination, protection of critical and vulnerable locations, and maintenance of law and order.
The security agencies have been stepping up coordinated operations against armed groups involved in violence and other security-related activities, with the proposed deployment aimed at enhancing their operational capacity across the state, the sources said.
“CoBRA units, trained for jungle warfare and counter-insurgency operations, could be deployed in difficult and rugged terrain where armed groups are active. Other CAPF units may be assigned to area security, protection duties, route and infrastructure security, and maintaining public order in sensitive locations,” a source who does not want to be named said.
The demand for additional forces comes against the backdrop of the prolonged ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities.
The intermittent violent incidents have claimed lives, displaced large numbers of people and left several parts of the state vulnerable to fresh tensions and violence.
The security situation has become more complex with emerging tensions between Naga and Kuki-Zo groups, particularly in the hill districts. Authorities are closely monitoring areas considered vulnerable to further escalation and are maintaining heightened security arrangements to prevent incidents of violence.
The government has also recently notified several areas as sensitive from a security perspective, reflecting continuing concerns over the law-and-order situation and the challenges involved in preventing further violence.
The proposed deployment of 30 additional CAPF companies is expected to provide security forces with greater manpower and flexibility to conduct sustained operations while strengthening security in vulnerable areas.
Officials are expected to coordinate the deployment of additional forces with existing security arrangements to ensure effective area domination, protect vulnerable populations and infrastructure, and maintain peace in districts affected by continuing ethnic and militant-related tensions.
