In violence-hit Manipur more 500 BSF personnel arrives at Imphal

Manipur: Sources said that 500 additional personnel from eight Border Security Force (BSF) companies landed at the Imphal airport in four different flights on Tuesday.
According to sources, BSF personnel from 11 companies have already reached Manipur on Monday. A total of 30 BSF companies will be brought to Manipur as part of ongoing efforts to bring law and order situation under control and restore normalcy in the state, sources said.
Meanwhile, a high-level Home Ministry team led by Joint Home Secretary Ashish Kumar along with four other ministry officials is camping in Imphal.
The ministry team is likely to visit National Highway 37 (Imphal-Jiribam Road) on Wednesday to take stock of the situation, and possible transportation of essential commodities on the highway, sources said.
Meanwhile, the Committee of Tribal Unity (COTU), Sadar-Hills Kangpokpi district on Sunday announced that the blockade of the national highway has been temporarily suspended for seven days from June 5.
COTU said in a release that the blockade was lifted as a goodwill gesture during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Kangpokpi district. It said an extensive consultation was also held with various CSOs, village heads, youth leaders and women’s forums on several issues.
However, only vehicles carrying essential items and medical supplies will be allowed to ply on the highway under the protection of central forces. He added that the movement of trucks is restricted from 10 am to 2 pm.
He mentioned that this was done in support of the Government of India’s ‘Peace Mission’ to resolve the “cookie politics” issue.
It may be noted that the residences of two COTU leaders were stormed by angry mobs, during which one person was allegedly shot dead after the announcement of the relaxation of the blockade, according to sources. Sources added that the house of one of the COTU leaders was burnt by the mob.