Imphal: Manipur has decided to step up counter insurgency operations by adopting new tactics and providing security cover along Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar highway 53 on the state's side, official sources said on September 13.

The high-level security meeting presided by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on September 12 agreed on a proposal to launch massive combing operations in the valley and hill districts to trace the different armed insurgents, the sources said.

The proposal, which also considers mobilisation of all available forces, had been submitted to the government by director general of police (Manipur) S Bimolchandra Singh, sources said.

No details were divulged about the new tactics to be adopted.

It was also not known when the intensive combing operations by security forces would begin but the sources said mobilisation of troops have already begun.

To facilitate the operations, a joint security control room and interrogation cell would be opened to co-ordinate among the different security agencies, which would share the insurgency-related information, the sources said.

"The meeting was attended by Nagaland-based GOC major general Marshal and Manipur DGP Bimolchandra Singh, DIG (Assam Rifles) Brig E J Kochikon, DIG BSF, Manipur and Nagaland P K Misra and other high security officials, assumed significance in view of the increasing militant activities in the region.

The meeting also discussed the incidents of looting, extortion and crime on the highways, particularly on Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati highway no 39 and agreed to strengthen security measures along them, the sources said.

Personnel of the 3rd India Reserve Battalion, who are undergoing training, would be deployed at Manipur portions of the highways after completion of their course in December, they said.

"The GOC major general Marshal, the sources said, had reportedly told the meeting that security along NH 39 on Nagaland side had been intensified after the September 5 incident in which three Manipur-bound vehicles were looted and women passengers brutally molested by armed Nagas at Piphema.

PTI