The Central Reserve Police Force has directed its units in Manipur to use only armoured vehicles and avoid sudden deployments following recent ambushes on security personnel.
A senior government official stated on July 16 that the instructions follow two ambushes on Assam Rifles personnel in Manipur and Nagaland. The CRPF, which has around 20,000 personnel in the state, has also received at least 100 armoured vehicles in the past two months.
In June the force inducted two CoBRA battalions for operations against armed groups. These units received pre-induction training in crowd management and are scheduled for deployment in the hill districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Ukhrul.
The official quoted in the reports said personnel were advised to avoid sudden movements and to arrest or fire upon armed miscreants who do not surrender. The measures come amid ongoing ethnic tensions that began in May 2023 and have resulted in 300 deaths.
