More than 5000 security personnel deployed due to violence in Manipur, schools closed, Centre takes a big decision on Manipur
The Manipur government has ordered closure of schools and colleges till November 19 amid imposition of curfew in both Imphal West and East districts. The decision was taken in consultation with the state home department.
Amid continuing violence in the conflict-hit northeastern state, the Central government on Monday decided to send additional security personnel to deal with the situation and restore law and order.
An order from the Secretariat Higher and Technical Education Department said: “In view of the curfew imposed by the District Magistrate in several districts and considering the safety of students and teachers, it is ordered that all Government Institutions/Government Aided Colleges under the Higher and Technical Education Department of the Government of Manipur, including State Universities in the districts where curfew has been imposed, shall remain closed for 2 (two) days from November 18 to November 19.”
The northeastern state has been battling ethnic violence for several months. The ongoing violence escalated once again on Sunday, forcing the Manipur Police to impose curfew in both Imphal West and Imphal East districts.
The curfew was imposed after six bodies were found. The state government also suspended internet services in seven districts.
Additional security forces
The Centre has decided to send 50 additional CAPF companies comprising over 5,000 personnel in view of the “challenging” security and law and order situation in Manipur, PTI reported quoting official sources.
According to the report, 35 units will be drawn from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) while the remaining will be from the Border Security Force (BSF).
This comes after the Union Home Ministry rushed 20 additional CAPF companies, including 15 CRPF and five BSF companies, to the state following an order issued on November 12 after violence broke out in Jiribam district and spread to other places.
With last week’s deployment, a total of 218 CAPF companies are now present in the state, which has been grappling with ethnic clashes since May last year.
