IMPHAL, February 26: The only central paramilitary force deployed in Manipur is the Assam Rifles and there are 26 AR battalions deployed at present in the state. The central paramilitary force is under the control of the centre and not under the state.
This was expressed by the state Home minister Gaikhangam during today’s Question hour of the ongoing state Assembly session.
Replying to a query from the Andro MLA Th Shyamkumar, he said the CRPF and the BSF and other such forces are used in civil administration and they come under the new name of Central Armed Police Force, CAPF.
Paramilitary forces are used in Counter Insurgency operations in notified areas of international border along with the state forces, he said.
Replying to a query from MLA Kh Joykishan on whether the tambola popularly known as housie is legal in the state of Manipur, Gaikhangam said that playing of tambola is an act of gambling and is not legalised by the government.
Replying to another query from MLA P Brojen on the number of fire service stations in the valley districts and their individual area coverage, Gaikhangam said there are nine fire sub-stations in the valley district with each sub-station covering 10 sq km in the urban area and 50 sq km in the rural area.
Four more sub-stations will be coming up shortly one likely in the Wangjing Tentha area and three others in the hill districts, he said.
Of the three in the hills, one could be stationed at Litan in Ukhrul, he said.
The opening of the sub-stations had been minutely discussed with the state chief minister, Gaikhangam said.
He said recently the state cabinet had approved the opening of four new sub-stations at Yairipok in Thoubal District, Tadubi and Saikul in Senapati District and Noney in Tamenglong district.
Opposition leader, Dr I Ibohalbi expressed that the Imphal fire station is far from the far flung areas of the district like Nambol.
He further proposed that considering the inconveniences of the public, there is a need to open a fire sub-station around Nambol area.
In a separate question, Andro MLA Th Shyamkumar asked for the present status in the murder case of Aseibam Rajeshwori alias Inao Devi of Andro Chingdong Leikai.
The Home minister Gaikhangam said that the case is almost complete and the chargesheet will be filed very soon.