IMPHAL, Jan 30 – A meeting of the Unified Command was convened by Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh yesterday where the law-and-order scenerio of the State was discussed.

Reports of the security forces in their respective area of operations were taken into account during today’s meeting where top-ranking officials from the State administration and security forces participated, according to sources.

Official sources said that apart from reviewing the achievements of the security set-ups taking part in the counter-insurgency operations in the State, the meeting also discussed the activities of the insurgents and their frontal organisations and increasing extortion activities which the Union Home Ministry had asked the State Government to tackle.

Besides, Ibobi Singh, Manipur chief secretary DS Poonia, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (S), GOC of 57 Mountain Division and top officials of CRPF and BSF, members of the Strategy and Operational Group (SOG) took part in the meeting.

The Chief Minister is the chairman of the Unified Command in which counter insurgency operations of the security forces, both Central and State security forces, is managed under the command of the Strategy and Operational Group (SOG).

It is worth noting that the Army, paramilitary forces (CRPF and BSF), semi-paramilitary force (Assam Rifles) and State security forces and police are the members of the SOG.

Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram had asked Manipur Chief Minister to curb the extortion menace in the State in a meeting between the two last month in New Delhi.

In that meeting, the Union Minister expressed dissatisfiction with the law and order situation of the State. He also assured of all help in working out a modality to augment the State’s capabilities to handle the law and order situation.

It may also be recalled that in the first week of this month, Union Ministry of Home Affairs had instructed the State Government to crackdown on militants behind the rampant extortion and provide adequate security to the private entrepreneurs specially the private mobile phone operators.

Yesterday’s meeting also discussed on the cross-border smuggling of arms and weapons and fencing of the international border with Myanmar and agreed to intensify border vigil to check arms smuggling from Myanmar.

Newmai News