Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam chaired the 2nd Monthly Review Meeting at the Conference Hall of the New Secretariat in Imphal, reviewing the implementation of security measures and the progress of the Indo–Myanmar border fencing project.
Officials reported that Konthoujam assured citizens that hectic negotiations are underway to resolve the ongoing hostage standoff.
With six Naga men held captive by Kukis and 14 Kuki individuals held by Nagas, the government is making every effort to ensure their safe release. “We are hopeful of some positive developments in the next two to three days,” Konthoujam said.
Simultaneously, law enforcement is preparing to conduct widespread search operations across valley and hill districts to crack down on unlawful activities and armed miscreants.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the investigation into the abduction of Nagas, the Home Minister responded to reports claiming that the NIA had not received case details from the state. “I myself signed the official document to hand over the case to the NIA,” Konthoujam maintained.
He dismissed the discrepancy as a mere “communication gap” and noted that the state government is pushing for a swift resolution to the crisis.
The Home Minister’s remarks came after Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh met at Lok Bhavan in Imphal to review the state’s prevailing security situation.
The high-level discussions focused on strengthening operational deployments to safeguard citizens, maintain peace, and address emerging challenges.
The meeting comes as the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) deploys two additional battalions of the elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) to Manipur.
These specialised jungle warfare units are tasked with carrying out targeted operations against armed groups in volatile and mixed-population districts.
This major security surge adds to the CRPF’s routine presence of 12,000 to 15,000 personnel, amounting to over 100 companies.
The reinforcements also include 1,000 anti-riot personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), supplementing around 10,000 personnel from the Indian Army and Assam Rifles already stationed across the state.