Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam on June 11 expressed confidence that the recent deployment of two Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) units of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) would help improve the law and order situation in the violence-hit state.
Speaking to reporters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) after meeting family members of six Naga civilians whose bodies were kept at the mortuary for official formalities, Konthoujam said the state’s security resources were limited and that the arrival of the specialised battalions would provide a significant boost to ongoing operations.
“We have very limited security forces. But now with the recent deployment of two COBRA battalions, I think the situation will improve,” he said.
The COBRA units are elite CRPF formations specially trained in guerrilla warfare and jungle combat operations. However, the minister stressed that the restoration of peace depended not only on additional forces but also on public cooperation.
“We, including the chief minister, have always appealed to people in both the hills and the valley to cooperate with the state administration to stop any violence. Even if more security forces are deployed, they cannot do much without public cooperation,” Konthoujam said.
Describing the killing of six civilians as an “unprecedented and heinous crime”, the home minister assured that those responsible would be brought to justice.
“We are committed to arresting the perpetrators and taking action against those who have no humanity,” he said.
Konthoujam also welcomed the release of 14 Kuki individuals who were allegedly held captive by Naga armed groups, describing the development as an example of humanity. He further appreciated the efforts of the state police chief in tracing the missing Naga civilians.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh reiterated the government’s resolve to act firmly against those responsible for the killings. In an official statement issued on Wednesday, the chief minister said the government would not remain a “mute spectator” to such acts of violence.
“The state government will not remain a mute spectator to these atrocities. Culprits responsible for the murder will be arrested and punished as per law,” Singh said.
The six victims had been abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on May 13. Their bodies were recovered a day after 14 Kuki individuals, who had been abducted by armed groups in Senapati district nearly a month earlier, were released on June 9.
The killings have heightened concerns over the security situation in Manipur’s hill districts, with authorities expressing hope that the deployment of specialised forces, coupled with public support, will help prevent further violence and restore normalcy.
