CRPF Issues New Safety Guidelines For Manipur Personnel

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has issued a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for its personnel deployed in Manipur. This decision comes after recent attacks on Assam Rifles troops in the state.

The revised guidelines direct personnel to move around in only bulletproof vehicles and avoid stray movements. This new SoP has been enforced for around 200 CRPF companies, comprising nearly 20,000 personnel, as well as its two recently deployed elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) units.

The CRPF has the highest number of companies deployed in Manipur among all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Along with its CoBRA battalions, around 200 CRPF companies, nearly 100 Border Security Force (BSF) companies, five Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) companies, and six Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) companies are currently deployed across the state.

The revised SoP comes amid heightened security concerns following the killing of two Assam Rifles personnel in an ambush in Ukhrul district on July 6. Another Assam Rifles personnel was killed in a suspected IED blast in Chumoukedima district of Nagaland on July 13, and a violent mob attack on an Assam Rifles camp in Senapati town in Manipur occurred on the night of July 14.

CRPF personnel deployed in Manipur have been advised to use only bulletproof vehicles and avoid stray movements during their operational and administrative duties. Nearly 100 Marksman vehicles, India's first indigenous capsule-based light bulletproof vehicles, have been sent to Manipur in recent months. These vehicles provide up to Level B6 ballistic protection, shielding occupants from assault rifle fire, underbelly grenade blasts, and mine blasts.

The CRPF has assigned its two newly deployed CoBRA battalions to begin operations against armed miscreants in the state. The two CoBRA battalions, comprising around 2,000 commandos, will operate from designated hubs and respond to incidents. This deployment is part of the Centre's efforts to strengthen security and restore lasting peace in Manipur.

Manipur has been facing ethnic violence since 2023, and the Centre has taken several measures to enhance security in the state. The deployment of CoBRA battalions and the revised SoP are part of these efforts. The CRPF's decision to mandate bulletproof vehicles is a significant step towards enhancing the safety of its personnel.

The situation in Manipur remains volatile, with frequent incidents of violence and attacks on security personnel. The CRPF's revised SoP and the deployment of CoBRA battalions are aimed at addressing these security concerns and restoring peace in the state.

In the context of the current situation in Manipur, the CRPF's decision to revise its SoP and deploy CoBRA battalions is a significant development. The use of bulletproof vehicles and the deployment of elite commando units are expected to enhance the security of CRPF personnel and help restore peace in the state.

The Centre's efforts to strengthen security in Manipur are crucial in addressing the ongoing ethnic violence and restoring lasting peace. The CRPF's revised SoP and the deployment of CoBRA battalions are part of these efforts, and their success will be critical in achieving this goal.

In conclusion, the CRPF's revised SoP and the deployment of CoBRA battalions in Manipur are significant developments in the context of the current security situation in the state. These measures are aimed at enhancing the safety of CRPF personnel and restoring peace in Manipur. The success of these efforts will be crucial in achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.