Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam has expressed hope that the recent deployment of two Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) units of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will help improve the law and order situation in the state, which continues to face security challenges in several districts.
Speaking to reporters on June 11 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), where he met family members of six Naga civilians whose bodies were kept at the mortuary for official formalities, the minister said the additional deployment would strengthen security operations on the ground.
“We have very limited security forces. But now with the recent deployment of two COBRA battalions, I think the situation will improve,” Konthoujam said.
The COBRA units are among the elite formations of the CRPF and are specially trained in guerrilla warfare, jungle combat and counter-insurgency operations. Their deployment comes at a time when security concerns remain high in parts of Manipur following a series of violent incidents.
While welcoming the additional security support, the minister stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through force deployment alone. He appealed to people living in both the hill and valley regions to cooperate with the government and security agencies in maintaining peace.
“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,” he said.
The minister also strongly condemned the killing of six civilians whose bodies were recently recovered. Describing the incident as an “unprecedented and heinous crime”, he assured that the government would take all necessary steps to identify and arrest those responsible.
“We are committed to arresting the perpetrators and taking action against those who have no humanity,” Konthoujam said.
The six victims had reportedly been abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on May 13. Their bodies were recovered a day after 14 Kuki individuals, who had allegedly been held captive by armed groups in Senapati district for nearly a month, were released on June 9.
Konthoujam welcomed the safe release of the 14 Kuki individuals and described the development as an example of humanity prevailing during difficult times. He also appreciated the efforts of the state police leadership in tracing the missing Naga civilians and pursuing the investigation.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday said the government would not remain a “mute spectator” to such incidents of violence. In an official statement, he assured strict action against those involved in the killings.
“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,” the chief minister said.
