Assam Rifles In Jammu, CRPF In Manipur — Centre's Plan To Deal With Terror Attacks, Internal Unrest: Report

The Centre has planned to deploy two Assam Rifles battalions there from Manipur, replacing them with CRPF personnel in the Northeastern state. The plan has met a stiff challenge in Manipur.

With the cross-border terror attacks intensifying in Jammu & Kashmir, the Centre has decided to deploy two battalions of India's oldest paramilitary force — the Assam Rifles. The two platoons will have around 2,000 personnel in total. The Assam Rifles platoons are being moved from Manipur where they were deployed to secure the Myanmar border and to quell the ethnic violence that has been going on for over a year. This will be Assam Rifles's re-entry into J&K after nearly two decades.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will now take over from Assam Rifles in two key districts of Manipur, a government official was quoted as saying by news website The Hindu. CRPF personnel, numbering approximately the same, will be deployed in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi — two regions that have seen massive violence in recent times.

Challenges For The Centre

The plan to deploy CRPF in place of Assam Rifles has been met with opposition from local tribal groups, who argue that Assam Rifles had built trust with the hill communities over time.

The decision to replace Assam Rifles with CRPF has sparked controversy, with Kuki-Zo groups expressing concerns that it goes against the will of the local population. Howver, Meitei civil society groups have slammed Assam Rifles for their alleged inaction in sensitive areas, reported The Hindu.

According to a report in The Week, the Assam Rifles met representatives of different communities to appeal for peace during the transition. According to The Hindu, a senior government official clarified that Assam Rifles will not be entirely withdrawn from Manipur, with only two battalions being replaced. The infrastructure will be retained by the incoming units. However, Kuki-Zo groups have decided to launch protests during the 'partial transition', saying that they "won't remain mute spectators if the government is adamant".

This move is part of a larger effort to enhance law and order in Manipur, where over 226 people have lost their lives and 60,000 have been displaced since May 2023.

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