BSF DG Reviews Manipur Security and Preparedness
BSF Director General Praveen Kumar visits Manipur to review operational preparedness following recent violence and firing incidents in the state.
In a critical move to bolster stability in the volatile Northeast state, Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Praveen Kumar conducted an extensive two-day security review of Manipur. The visit, spanning October 12 and 13, focused on the deployment and operational readiness of BSF formations following a recent surge in violence.
High-Level Meetings Amid Rising Tensions
The BSF chief, a 1993-batch Indian Police Service officer, visited key regions including Imphal and Churachandpur. During his tour, Kumar held high-level discussions with Manipur's Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh. The discussions centered on the BSF's commitment to assisting civil administration in maintaining law and order through professional conduct and seamless coordination with other security agencies.
This high-level intervention comes on the heels of a grim weekend where separate firing incidents in the Kamjong, Ukhrul, and Kangpokpi districts resulted in the deaths of at least nine people, triggering fresh waves of unrest across the state.
Strategic Deployment and Buffer Zones
The BSF maintains a massive presence in the state to manage the sensitive India–Myanmar border and secure critical buffer zones. Currently, nearly 100 companies of the BSF are stationed across various districts, with a heavy concentration in Imphal and the strategic areas connecting the valley and hill regions.
Beyond security assessments, the DG also visited the Subsidiary Training Centre in Churachandpur. There, he reviewed the preparations for the upcoming BSF Day Celebrations, emphasizing the need for meticulous planning to ensure the event is conducted without incident.
AFSPA Extension and the Security Landscape
The DG's review coincides with a significant policy shift by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). On September 25, the MHA announced the extension of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) across Manipur, declaring the state a "disturbed area."
Key details regarding the AFSPA extension include:
- Duration: The extension is effective from October 1, 2026, and will remain in force until March 31, 2027, unless withdrawn earlier.
- Exclusions: The Act does not apply to 13 specific police stations in the districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching.
- Excluded Stations: Imphal, Lamphel, City, Singjamei, Patsoi, Wangor, Porompat, Heingang, Irilbung, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, and Kakching.
Ongoing Volatility and Insurgent Activity
Despite the heightened security measures, the situation in Manipur remains precarious. Officials have noted persistent tensions driven by ethnic violence and intermittent gunfire in fringe areas. Specifically, the zones between Bishnupur and Churachandpur, as well as Imphal East, Kangpokpi, Imphal West, and Jiribam, continue to see active participation from insurgent groups.
The imposition of AFSPA is intended to facilitate coordinated operations by security forces to stabilize these volatile regions and curb the activities of insurgent groups that continue to impact the state's stability.