Army chief begins two day visit to manipur to assess ground situation

Army chief begins two day visit to manipur to assess ground situation

Army chief General Manoj Pande reached Manipur on Saturday on a two-day visit. He will interact with the local formation commanders and obtain a first-hand account of the situation on the ground, the Army said.

The Army and the Assam Rifles launched multiple search operations in the Kangchuk, Motbung, Saikul, Pukhao and Sagolmang areas of Manipur in the early hours of Saturday to track down any armed insurgents operating in these areas.

As the internal security situation worsened in Manipur, the State administration had requisitioned the Army and the Assam Rifles on May 3 for deployment of troops. “Army and Assam Rifles deployed 135 columns to diffuse the situation by carrying out active domination of sensitive and fringe areas. Approximately 35,000 civilians were evacuated to safe zones and humanitarian aid was provisioned,” the Army said in a statement.

Restoring normalcy

On Sunday, Gen. Pande will meet Governor Anusuiya Uikey, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and Chief Security Adviser Kuldiep Singh to discuss and deliberate on the current situation and future trajectory, in order to restore normalcy at the earliest, the statement added.

The Army’s Dimapur-based 3 Corps said on Twitter that the operations are part of overall ongoing efforts by the Army and the Assam Rifles to restore peace and normalcy in the State. “Army columns are using latest technology weapons and other force multipliers while operating in the forested mountainous areas,” it stated.

On Friday too, security forces intensified domination across the State. Army teams in Imphal East and Churachandpur had prevented a firing incident between the two communities as armed miscreants fired shots. However, no casualties were reported.

Constructive dialogue

Earlier this week, Eastern Army Commander Lt. Gen R.P. Kalita was on a three-day visit to Manipur to assess and review the security situation.

He visited Kangpokpi, Matripukhri, Churachandpur, Bishnupur, Yaingangpokpi and Moreh. “During his meetings with local stakeholders, including members from all communities and several civil society organisations, the Eastern Army Commander urged suspension of hostilities by all sections of society. He urged the people of Manipur to carry out constructive dialogue to ensure lasting peace in the region,” a tweet from 3 Corps said.