Imphal: Manipur Government has decided to provide arms to the people of two villages to protect themselves from the wrath of militants, officials said today.

The decision to arm 500 villagers -- 300 at Heirok in Thoubal district and 200 at Lilong Chajing in Imphal West district -- was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh yesterday, they said.

Sources said police would train the villagers who would be known as special police officers and each would be paid Rs 3,000 per month after completion of training.

These armed villagers would be deployed in their respective villages from June next, sources said adding that five barracks -- three at Heirok and two at Lilong Chajing -- would also be constructed.

The government's decision followed the demand from the villagers to provide them with arms so as to protect themselves from the attacks, kidnapping and extortions by the militants.

The ultras had killed four innocent civilians, three at Heirok in March and one in Lilong Chajing in April last, sources said.

They said special police officers would be recruited along the lines adopted in Jammu and Kashmir. Any village which would want protection from militants would be given arms as in Heirok and Lilong Chajing, they added.

Source : PTI