Imphal: In a bid to ensure the integrity of the electoral process in the violence-hit Manipur, the Chief Electoral Officer, Pradip Kumar Jha, has said that approximately 200 companies of paramilitary forces would be deployed in the sensitive areas of the state for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Scheduled to be conducted in two phases on April 19 and April 26, this decision aims to uphold the principles of free and fair elections amidst prevailing strife, CEO Jha told reporters in Imphal.
He said that the determination of the requisite number of companies followed a thorough assessment of the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur, conducted in collaboration with the relevant District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police.
Responding to inquiries regarding the sufficiency of paramilitary forces, the CEO provided a measured response, indicating that licensed gun holders have been instructed to surrender their firearms and ammunition at local police stations.
Highlighting the issuance of notifications by district administrations to this effect, Jha emphasized the deployment of police and paramilitary personnel to curb the illicit transportation of arms.
Reports also suggest that top officials from various security agencies in Manipur have been instructed to maintain heightened vigilance following a security review meeting.