200 companies of para-military forces deployed for Manipur polls

Imphal: To ensure free and fair polls in this sensitive border state, security measures have been taken with the deployment of around 200 companies of para-military forces assisted by the state forces in Manipur.

A security briefing was conducted on Wednesday at the District Election Office, Imphal West in connection with the ensuing 1-Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency which will be held on April  19, 2024, as part of Phase-I of the 18th Lok Sabha Elections, 2024.

Around 200 companies of paramilitary forces are to be deployed for the 18th Lok Sabha elections which will be held in two phases on April 19 and April 26 in the state.

The meeting was chaired by Th. Kirankumar (IAS), District Election Officer, Imphal West addressed the various security measures taken up by the District Election Office, Imphal West to ensure a safe, free, and fair election.

There will be a total of 1,319 Polling Stations in 1-Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency (1-IMPC). In addition, there will be 29 Special Polling Stations in 1-IMPC for Internally Displaced People (IDPs). In Imphal West district alone, there will be 145 women-manned Polling Stations and 13 Model Polling Stations.

The District Election Office, Imphal West has also identified 70 numbers of Vulnerable and Critical Polling Stations. It has made special security arrangements — such as the deployment of micro-observers and multiple security layers in addition to the normal security measures.

Superintendent of Police - Imphal West, Ksh Shivakanta (IPS) also briefed the police officers and personnel deployed for duty on poll day about the various security strategies and measures.

He further emphasized the need to ensure the smooth conduct of the election and discussed the various Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) being implemented.

Officers from key law enforcement agencies including the Manipur Police (MP), Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), alongside Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) of all Assembly Constituencies in Imphal West district, participated in the briefing.