![\"'Bulletproof](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-132459732,imgsize-275741,width-400,height-225,resizemode-75\/crpf-has-issued-a-revised-standard-operating-procedure-sop-for-its-personnel-deployed-in-manipur.jpg\" "\\"CRPF")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: Amid heightened security concerns following a series of attacks on security forces in Manipur<\/a> and neighbouring Nagaland, the CRPF<\/a> has issued a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for its personnel in the violence-hit state, directing them to use only bulletproof vehicles and avoid unnecessary movement during operations.The new guidelines apply to nearly 20,000 CRPF personnel deployed in Manipur, along with around 2,000 commandos from two elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) units recently inducted into the state.Officials said the revised protocol has been introduced in the wake of recent attacks on Assam Rifles personnel, including the killing of two soldiers in an ambush in Manipur\u2019s Ukhrul district on July 6 and the death of another in a suspected IED blast in Nagaland\u2019s Chumoukedima district on July 13.Four personnel were injured in the latter incident.Security concerns also escalated after a mob attacked an Assam Rifles camp in Manipur\u2019s Senapati town on July 14, torching vehicles and vandalising property following an anti-insurgency operation near Oklong.“Our personnel (deployed in Manipur) have been advised to use only bulletproof vehicles and avoid stray movements during their operational and administrative duties across Manipur,” an official close to the security wing told when asked about the changes after recent attacks on Assam Rifles.As part of the enhanced security measures, nearly 100 indigenous Marksman light bulletproof vehicles have been sent to Manipur in recent months.Designed for urban combat, patrol and convoy protection, the vehicles offer ballistic protection against assault rifle fire, grenade attacks and mine blasts.The revised SOP is being enforced on around 200 CRPF companies, making it the largest CAPF deployment in Manipur.The state is also hosting nearly 100 BSF companies, five ITBP companies and six SSB companies.The CRPF has additionally assigned two CoBRA battalions, the 207 Battalion from West Bengal and the 210 Battalion from Assam, to conduct operations against armed groups as part of the Centre\u2019s efforts to restore peace in the state.The specialised jungle warfare units, comprising around 2,000 commandos, will operate from designated bases and undertake missions at the request of the Manipur Police.Officials said the CoBRA units will focus on seizing illegal arms and ammunition, demolishing bunkers used by armed groups, identifying potential ambush sites and carrying out area-domination exercises.The commandos underwent three weeks of operational training and a week-long familiarisation programme before being deployed in Manipur.Like the CRPF personnel, they will also follow the revised SOP and operate in bulletproof vehicles.Sources said the Centre decided to redeploy the CoBRA battalions in the Northeast after significantly curbing Left Wing Extremism in central and eastern India.Raised in 2008-09 to tackle Maoist insurgency, the CoBRA force has earned a reputation for intelligence-based jungle warfare operations and is expected to play a key role in Manipur\u2019s rugged and forested terrain.The deployment of the CRPF, CoBRA and other central armed police forces is part of the Centre\u2019s broader efforts to restore normalcy in Manipur, where ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023 has left more than 260 people dead and displaced thousands.Besides the fresh SOP set by the CRPF for its personnel in Manipur, the force has assigned its two newly deployed CoBRA battalions to “begin operations against armed miscreants” in Manipur as part of the Centre’s efforts to strengthen security and restore lasting peace in the violence-hit state.Comprising around 2,000 commandos, the specialised jungle warfare units will operate from designated hubs and respond to incidents or undertake operations on the requisition of the Manipur Police, the official said.He said, “seizure of illegal arms and ammunition, demolition of bunkers used by armed groups, identification of ambush points and area domination will be among the key priorities of the operations of the CoBRA units.”The commandos have completed three weeks of pre-induction operational training followed by a week-long familiarisation programme before being sent for operational duties in Manipur.Besides conducting counter-insurgency operations, the CoBRA battalions will also assist the state administration and other central armed police forces in restoring normalcy.The CoBRA units will also move in bulletproof vehicles and follow revised SOPs, with particular emphasis on avoiding unnecessary exposure and stray movement during operations.Officials said the Centre decided to deploy the specialised CoBRA units in the Northeast after Left Wing Extremism (LWE) or Naxal was significantly curbed across central and eastern India.Trained in jungle warfare and guerrilla tactics, the CoBRA commandos are expected to play a crucial role in operations in Manipur’s rugged and forested terrain.The CoBRA force was raised by the CRPF in 2008-09 to combat Left Wing Extremism and insurgency.The specialised force has earned recognition for its intelligence-based jungle warfare operations that contributed significantly to weakening Maoist violence in the country.The deployment of CoBRA and CRPF with other CAPFs in Manipur is part of ongoing efforts by the Central government and the Manipur administration to restore lasting peace in the state, where ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023 has claimed more than 260 lives and displaced thousands of people.(With ANI inputs)<\/div>\n