Heavy police forces have been deployed at the VIP area and market complex in the Manipur capital here ahead of Independence day celebrations which are being boycotted by the Coordination Committee (CORCOM) formed by major insurgent outfits, official sources said today.
All persons entering the VIP area at Babupara here where official residential complexes of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and his senior cabinet colleagues are located, have to write their name and address in a register book at the common gate, sources said.
The intense security measures followed explosion of a powerful grenade in front of western gate of Ibobi Singh's official residence on Saturday by militant outfit People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak-Progressive, sources said.
They said heavy forces have been deployed on the western, northern and eastern side of CM's residence adding that Manipur police headquarters are located at the southern side.
Sources said forces attached to Imphal east and Imphal west district police stations have been launching combing operations in the past few days at various localities including Bamon Leikai, Mahabali temple complex, Sanjenthong, Keisampat and others--all surrounding VIP complexes-- to detect infiltration of militants in the heart of the capital complex ahead of the I-Day celebrations.
Police and other para-military forces have also been deployed at Paona and Thangal market complexes where most of the shops and houses were being checked, sources said, adding that those who did not have identity cards or proper documents were detained at many places but were later released after proper verification.
CORCOM which included United National Liberation Front, Revolutionary People's Front, Kanglei Yawol Kann Lup and others have been boycotting I-Day and Republic day celebrations every year for more than three decades now in protest against Manipur's merger with the Indian union in 1949.
