BSF deployment begins along Manipur border, CM Biren Singh tells Assembly

Imphal: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday (March 05) told the Assembly that the deployment of border security force (BSF) along the India-Myanmar border in the Manipur sector has commenced.

Acting upon directives from the union home ministry, the BSF will maintain close vigilance along the porous borders, CM Singh said.

With India sharing 1643 kilometers of borders with Myanmar, Manipur shares 398 kilometres with Myanmar.

Besides Assam Rifles, the BSF personnel will be in the select areas of the Manipur-Myanmar border, he said.

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The Assam Rifles are presently stationed at strategic locations along the borders with Myanmar in Manipur.

Amit Shukla, PRO, Defence (Manipur, Nagaland and Southern Arunachal Pradesh), however, ruled out the deployment of BSF along the Indo-Myanmar border in the Manipur sector.

He added, "There has been no additional deployment of BSF on the India-Myanmar border as of 05 March 2024. The purpose of additional deployment of BSF in the state could be corroborated from the BSF."

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh further informed the state assembly on February 29 that a total of 198 companies of central armed police forces, 147 columns of the Army, 141 Assam Rifles columns, and approximately 40,000 state forces are actively engaged in operations across Manipur.

Moreover, the union home minister has assured the Manipur government of deploying yet another border guard force along the Manipur-Myanmar border to address the demands of certain ruling government MLAs, Meira Paibis, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

(The story has been updated.)