IMPHAL, Oct 30 ? Under the directive of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the Manipur government is to submit a proposal to the Centre for a special financial package for strengthening the state police commando force now engaged mainly in counter-insurgency operations in the valley districts.
Under the new proposal the existing commando force of Manipur Police would be increased from the present 800 to 1800 and they would be deployed in all district headquarters. There are nine districts in the state ? four in the valley and the remaining five in the hills. Commandos are not being deployed in the hill districts at present.
Ibobi who also holds the planning and home portfolios has said that whenever he met the Prime Minister and other central leaders, they inquired about the law-and-order situation in this volatile border state. In this backdrop, the state government would submit the proposal for which the draft proposal is ready, official sources said here on Friday.
At present, the counter-insurgency operations are mainly carried out by the commandos of Manipur Police in the four valley districts of the state - Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal.
An additional annual expenditure of Rs 50, 34,000 is likely to be incurred as a result of the strengthening. There were 15 gazetted officers in the rank and file of the commandos, 30 junior commission officers, 60 non-commission officers, 395 riflemen/constables 395 totalling about 500. However, according to a notification of the state home department, the strength of the commandos had been increased from 500 to 800 in September 2003.
According to the new proposal, the posts of 1000 commandos are to be created. The number of gazetted officers would be 5, junior commission officers 60, non commission officers, 60 and riflemen/constables 875. The monthly allowance of the gazetted officer would Rs 700, JCO Rs 600, NCO Rs 500 and riflemen/constable Rs 400.
Meanwhile, the Manipur Cabinet has agreed to strengthen its security forces for fresh appointment of 459 police constables - to fill up 137 posts of police constables and make new enrolment of 322 other personnel to attain the prescribed strength. The new proposal would offer a golden opportunity to educated unemployed youths in the state.
There are over 4.5 lakh job seekers in the live register of the state employment exchange office. The state has around 14,000 personnel of Manipur Police, Manipur Rifles, India Reserve Battalions etc., but the strength of the insurgent outfits is around 15,000 members, official sources said. Over 22 insurgent outfits are operating to make their presence felt in the state.