About 4000 personnel to be recruited to replace central forces

IMPHAL: Manipur government would soon recruit about 4,678 police personnel and commandos to replace central forces who at present are aiding the civil administration to tackle insurgency problem, official sources said on Wednesday.

Sources said the decision to recruit the personnel, that included 1600 commandos for deployment mainly in hill districts, was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh last evening.

At present central para military forces including Assam Rifles, were deployed at different parts of hill districts of Senapati, Tamenglong, Ukhrul, Chandel and Churachandpur, sources said.

The personnel to be recruited included 678 Manipur Rifles personnel and 2400 civil and reserve police forces, sources said adding that the present strength of about 1700 police commandos was now at present chiefly deployed in four valley districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishenpur.