No ISI activities in Manipur: State DGP

IMPHAL, July 12?The State police chief A A Siddiqui has categorically stated that there is no report of ISI activities in this border state of Manipur so far. Highlighting the achievement of the Manipur police in fighting insurgent outfits operating in the state, Director General of Police AA Siddiqui said that since January till June 30 last the State police managed to annihilate 27 underground cadres belonging to five outfits, arrest 280 militants including 15 sympathisers and recovered 43 arms from them. Interacting with mediapersons, DGP Siddiqui asserted that the achievement of the state force during the last six months is ?encouraging?. Six police personnel have died in encounters with the underground outfits during the period. Most of the arms were lost when militants over powered the escort of do Chandel Yambem Thamkishore, the police chief added.

The weapons snatched away by the militants from the police include one LMG, two carbines, six SLRs and 770 ammunitions. He also informed that almost all the 39 police stations in various places of the State were made functional, adding that during the last six months a total of 220 police personnel have been promoted to different ranks. Under the police modernisation drive, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India will provide 66 light vehicles, three medium vehicles and 31 heavy vehicles as also communication equipment worth Rs 3,02,11,399 to the State police.

The police department will also receive 2900 bullet proof jackets and 3400 patkas. The first phase of implementation of digital trunking system of an approximate cost of Rs 3.7 crore for Manipur is also under the initial stage of implementation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, he added.

Besides a comprehensive and perspective five year plan for modernisation of police at an average approximate cost of Rs 17.61 crore per annum has been drawn up, Siddiqui said, adding that supply of hitech equipment such as computerised finger print tracking system, automatic firing range, telephone/video intercepter, geo positioning system (GPS) and sophisticated automatic weapons such as AK-47 rifles, 5.56 INSAS etc are under consideration of MHA. Regarding the introduction of Prevention of Terrorist Act in the State, DGP said, ? as per State government?s directive, the act has not made it applicable to the state.?

Reacting to a question relating to the failure of surrender policy in Manipur, Siddiqui opined that the State is still following the surrendered policy adopted by the Central authority. On the protection of the two national highways 39 and 53, the two life lines of the state, he informed that the state Government demanded at least 6 battalions for the protection of the NH 53. But due to lack of equipment and manpower things could not be worked out. However, necessary escorts have been providing along the NH 39, he said.