Imphal, July 8 (IANS) Manipur Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh said on Wednesday that sustained coordination among the Army, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the state administration would be further strengthened to reinforce peace, stability and public confidence across the state.

The Home Minister held a series of meetings with General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 3 Corps, Lieutenant General Girish Kalia, Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Gyanendra Pratap Singh and several other senior security officials to review the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur.

The high-level meetings assume significance two days after two Assam Rifles personnel — Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Havildar Chandra Mohan Singh — were killed when a suspected Naga armed group ambushed an Assam Rifles vehicle at Nungshang Kong along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) in violence-hit Ukhrul district on Monday afternoon.

Following his meeting with Lieutenant General Kalia and Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) Major General Gaurav Sharma, the Home Minister in a Facebook post said: “We had a productive discussion on the prevailing security scenario and the importance of sustained coordination among all security agencies to further strengthen peace, stability and public confidence in Manipur.”

“I appreciate the unwavering commitment, professionalism and dedicated service of the Indian Army in safeguarding our nation and supporting the collective efforts towards a peaceful, secure and prosperous Manipur,” he added.

Later, after meeting CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh and several other senior paramilitary officials, Home Minister Govindas Singh said in another Facebook post that the discussions focused on enhancing coordination and strengthening the overall security framework in the state.

“We held a productive discussion on the prevailing security situation in Manipur and reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening coordination, enhancing operational preparedness and ensuring lasting peace and security in the state,” he added.

The Home Minister also said: “I deeply appreciate the dedication and invaluable service of the CRPF in safeguarding the nation and protecting the people of Manipur. Together, we remain committed to a secure, stable and peaceful Manipur.”

The meetings come at a time when security forces have intensified coordinated operations across several vulnerable districts to track down those responsible for the deadly ambush on the Assam Rifles personnel and to prevent any further escalation of violence.

Earlier on Wednesday, Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, along with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, senior Army officers and other dignitaries, paid their last respects to the two Assam Rifles personnel who were killed in the July 6 ambush in Ukhrul district.

Paying tribute to the fallen soldiers at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal, the Home Minister said their courage, patriotism and unwavering commitment to the nation would never be forgotten.

“We pay our heartfelt tribute to the two brave soldiers of the 40 Assam Rifles, Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Havildar Chandra Mohan Singh, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty at Nungshang Kong in Ukhrul district.”

“We salute their bravery and offer our deepest condolences to their grieving families. May their souls rest in eternal peace,” he said.

The Home Minister also reiterated the state government’s commitment to working closely with the Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF and other security agencies to ensure that peace and normalcy are restored at the earliest, while maintaining a robust security environment across Manipur.

–IANS

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