High powered central body reviews state law and order

IMPHAL, July 19: A high powered central team led by former Union Home Secretary NN Vohra today reviewed the situation in Manipur with high ranking state officials in the context of escalation in insurgent activities. The nine-member Central 'task force on internal security' discussed the situation in the state with Chief Minister W Nipamacha Singh soon after arriving in Imphal this morning by a special plane. The discussion covered issues related to law and order, the threat posed by the activities of the underground groups to India's internal security and help extended to the UGs by foreign agencies, according to official sources. The high powered team, apart from NN Vohra, includes former Manipur Governor, Lt General (retd) V K Nayar, former DGP (Punjab), JF Ribeiro, former advisor to Manipur Governor, BP vastava, Maj General (retd) CS Nungyal and MK Narayana, the team was accompanied by the joint secretary, NSC secretariat, Brijeshare and under secretary, MHA, RK Prasad. The team later met with chief secretary Rakesh, DGP DS Grewal, Commissioner (Home), DS Poonia, IG (L&O), A Romenkumar and IG (Intelligence), A Pradeep, 3 Corps Commander Lt General TS Shergil, GOC, 57 Mountain division, Major General Arvind Swami, CRPF IG Mohan Raj, and the IG, BSF at the state Guest House. The more than two hour meeting discussed in detail insurgent activities in the state, including the recent killings of ten civilians on June 25, yesterday's ambush on CRPF, and extortions from police by ultras. The team also called on Manipur Governor Ved Marwa at Raj Bhawan here before leaving for Guwahati at around 5 pm today. Official sources also disclosed that a ten-member task force on border management will also be arriving in Imphal tomorrow. The team will visit Moreh and Ukhrul to take a first hand look at the border security and management in the state.