Manipur under security cover for President's visit

IMPHAL: Police commandos launched a massive combing operation on Thursday in the Chingmeirong area of Imphal in view of militants' call to boycott President Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Manipur on Apri 15.

Imphal West SP Konsam Jayanta Singh told TOI that 33 persons were detained for questioning during the combing operation on Thursday morning. "All of them were released after proper verification," he said. Mukherjee will visit Imphal on Monday to attend the diamond jubilee celebrations of Adimjati Shiksha Ashram, located at Chingmeirong, close to the Manipur assembly complex in Imphal West district.

Six Manipuri rebel groups have called for a boycott of the President's visit. The Coordinating Committee (CorCom) of the outfits - KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF and UNLF - has called a 26-hour general strike with effect from 6am on Monday.

"We are deploying adequate police personnel in Imphal West district and have taken up all possible security measures for the President's scheduled visit," Jayanta said. All police stations in the district are on alert to react to any eventualities, he added.

Police have intensified frisking, checking and patrolling at various strategic areas in Imphal. "Besides intensifying foot patrolling, a large number of police commando teams have been fanned out across the district and sudden checkings are being carried out in the capital round the clock," the SP said. He added that police commando teams from Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts will also be deployed in the city if required.

The six rebel outfits that have made the boycott call are fighting to restore Manipur's past sovereignty. They said Mukherjee's visit is yet another ploy of New Delhi to continue its domination of the erstwhile independent Manipur.

"As the head of the nation, the President should be held responsible for killing of innocent Manipuris by the Indian security forces and for the narcotics warfare triggered by New Delhi with the ultimate objective to suppress the youths of Manipur," charged CorCom in a statement.

The state government is not taking any chances and has even put Assam Rifles and other paramilitary forces on high alert. Manipuri militants have made it a habit to boycott visits of the President, the Prime Minister and other senior ministers to the state. The last visit of Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in December 2011 was also boycotted by the rebels.

Mukherjee is visiting the state at a time when the Supreme Court has pulled up the Centre and the Manipur government for the extra-judicial killings in the state in the name of combating militancy. The SC also observed that the prolonged deployment of armed forces in disturbed areas was bound to result in extra-judicial killings.

On his maiden visit to the state as President, Mukherjee, besides unveiling the jubilee's plaque of Adimjati Shiksha Ashram, is also scheduled to lay the foundation stones of the ashram's boys' hostel, a community hall and a working women's hostel. Notably, the ashram was set up in 1952 at the initiative of India's first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad.

On Wednesday, chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh convened a high-level meeting and reviewed the government's preparedness for the President's visit. Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing, deputy CM Gaikhangam, works minister Kh Ratankumar, hill areas chairman Chaltonlien Amo, chief secretary DS Poonia and DGP Y Joykumar, among other state senior officials, attended the meeting.