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90 more companies of CRPF to be deployed in violence-hit Manipur

The Centre will deploy 90 more CAPF companies to violence-hit Manipur, adding to the 198 already stationed there. The violence in the state has so far claimed 258 lives

The Centre will deploy an additional 90 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), over and above the 198 companies that are already in the violence-hit Manipur. The additional 90 companies of the CAPF would amount to about 10,800 personnel.

"We are getting approximately 90 companies of CAPF, over and above the 198 companies which were earlier sent to the state. A sizeable number of them have already reached Imphal. We are distributing forces to protect the lives and properties of the citizens and vulnerable points," state government's Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh said on Friday.

After a meeting that was attended by representatives of the Army, BSF, CRPF, Assam Rifles, SSB, ITBP, and the Manipur Police, Singh said coordination cells and joint control rooms will be set up in each district of the state.

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"A number of SOPs (standard operating procedure) have been prepared for deployment of forces for coordination, for functioning, for fringe area security, for national highways security, and for any other important points which have to be taken care of."

The ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the state has so far claimed 258 lives. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals—Nagas and Kukis —constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts.

Singh said 32 people were arrested in connection with vandalism and torching of properties of ministers and MLAs while around 3,000 looted weapons have been recovered.

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