Security intensified in all Manipur govt offices

IMPHAL, February 3: Even as the State Government started deploying police commandos in civil clothes to check extortion in all major commercial areas of the capital city, police commandos shot dead an unidentified suspected militant at Bashikhong Kongba Irong under Singjamei police station today at about 12.30 pm. According to reports, the police commandos opened fire when two youths who were on foot refused to stop and instead started running when signalled to do so. One of the youths was killed on the spot while the other managed to escape, said sources. Police sources said they may belong to the KYKL (T) outfit. Police said one Chinese made 9 mm pistol with four rounds of ammunition and one hand-grenade were recovered near the dead body. The slain youth is presently kept at RIMS mortuary for identification. Meanwhile an official source from Police headquarters today said around 500 police commandos in civil clothes are deployed at all major commercial centres of the capital city to check extortion by militants. Fully armed police commandos in civil clothes are deployed at Khwairamband bazar said the source. All phones of big businessmen at Khwairamband are being monitored to check any transaction with underground outfits. Movements of salesmen and those involved in cash transactions are kept under vigil round the clock, added the sources. Assam Rifles personnel have also been pressed into service at all major Government departments including the Secretariat to check the free movements of militants inside the office complex. CRPF personnel are also deployed at the main gates of all Government offices including Secretariat. Telephones of head of department, VVOs and cashiers are being monitored by police commandos round the clock to check demands from militants. The security measures are being taken up under the over all supervision of a DIG. Similar measures will also be taken at all the Government offices in the hill districts. Strict actions would be taken up if any case of providing financial aid to militants is detected, said the source and added that one DIG each have been posted in the hill districts to supervise the security measures. The progress and outcome of the new security measures would be reviewed from time to time. The source further said the new security measures are being taken up as part of the 26-point Action Plan. The Centre has agreed to deploy two more CRPF Bns to the State as part of new security measures and for taking up intensified counter insurgency operations.