Imphal, Feb 23: As part of its modernization process and to add more teeth to its arsenal, Manipur police commando is almost set to induct United States of America (USA) made hovercraft in Loktak lake in Manipur to flush out rebel outfits who have made the area a safe haven for waging war against the state.
From March this year, the hovercrafts that have been acquired by the State police from the United States of America will be conscripted in the police force for an operation to flush out underground outfits from Loktak area after they have been fitted and assembled by technicians and engineers from the United States, said Jayanta, superintendent of police of Bishnupur district today.
The three hovercrafts bought from an American company have now been kept at a safe house in Toubul waiting to be enlisted for counter insurgency operation of Bishnupur district police commandos. The dismantled machines were transported from Michigan to New York, from where they were shipped to Kolkatta then to Guwahati and finally to Manipur.
As and when the hovercrafts are inducted, counter insurgency operation in and around the Loktak Lake will become much more effective given the logistic and maneuverable capability and the ability to cover wider areas of operation. One hovercraft can carry a load of 500 kg, said Jayanta.
The Loktak Protection Force which is drawn from Bishnupur police commandos will induct the hovercrafts in their counter insurgency operations at the initial stage which is the primary objective of acquiring such machine but is expected to be extended for other purposes in the later days.
Technicians and experts are expected to arrive here from United States mid March to assemble the parts that are shipped by dismantling it. Besides assembling its parts, the visiting experts will also impart the knowledge and expertise on the operational aspects of the machine.
Significantly, the proposal to buy hovercraft was first mooted in 2008 for use in patrolling in counter insurgency operation. With the use of the versatile machine in and around Loktak Lake, Manipur police attempts to dominate the area which has become a safe haven for insurgents operating in the valley districts of the State. The acquisition of hovercrafts which is a part of the modernization of police force has been funded by Union Ministry of Home Affairs and was bought at a cost of Rs 5.23 crores.
