Unified Command swings into action in Manipur

GUWAHATI: The new inter-agency unified command structure to maintain security in Manipur announced by Union home minister Amit Shah at the end of his four-day visit to the state on Thursday has swung into action, identifying "de-weaponisation and enforcement of ceasefire provisions with militants as focal points" to maintain security.
The formation of the new structure indicates that the current situation in the state would have to be dealt with in a concerted way and might take some time to subside. Besides the state police force, central armed police and para-military forces, the Army will be the key unit in the structure. Manipur now has two unified command structures operating simultaneously. While the first one headed by the state chief secretary was established in 2004 for counter-insurgency operations against the valley-based insurgent groups, the second one was set up on Thursday to maintain security in the aftermath of the Kuki-Meitei ethnic clashes.
The latest unified command structure is headed by retired IPS officer and former DG of CRPF Kuldeip Singh, who was appointed as security advisor to Manipur government soon after the clashes broke out on May 3.
A top security source said, "In order to ensure sustainable peace in Manipur, security forces have identified de-weaponisation and enforcement of SoO (suspension of operations agreements) provisions as focal points to be addressed immediately from the security perspective across Manipur."
"Easy access of arms and ammunition to inimical elements aiming to destroy peace and harmony is an aspect which can't be overlooked in the violence-ravaged state of Manipur. Towards this, a consensus among all stakeholders on undertaking immediate intelligence-based combing operations across Manipur is a welcome step," the source said. "The command has also energised intelligence sources and dedicated columns are being kept on standby to ensure quick action on receipt of input for early recovery of weapons and detailed plans have been prepared for implementation with immediate effect," the source said.
One of the primary jobs being carried out by the command is surprise checks in camps of militants under truce agreement to ensure the presence of weapons and cadres as stipulated in the agreement. "The home minister, during his four-day visit to Manipur, had appealed for immediate handing over snatched weapons and ammunition to the police. He had also brought out that the SoO agreement must be abided by the cadres to maintain peace. Pursuant to the visit, security forces have evolved detailed plans to launch large-scale combing operations for recovery of snatched weapons besides surprise checks of SoO camps," the source said.