IMPHAL, Nov 18: The Central government has decided to dispatch an additional 50 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to Manipur, comprising more than 5,000 personnel, due to the “challenging” security and law and order situation in the northeastern state, according to sources on Monday. This announcement follows the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) rushing 20 additional CAPF companies—15 from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and five from the Border Security Force (BSF)—after a surge of violence erupted in Jiribam district, affecting other areas.

The latest deployment will see 35 units drawn from the CRPF and the remaining units from the BSF. CRPF Director General A D Singh and senior officials from various CAPF are currently present in Manipur to oversee the situation.

With last week’s deployment of forces, a total of 218 CAPF companies are now stationed in the state, which has faced ethnic strife since May last year. Plans are underway to base the newly deployed 50 units in Manipur, according to the severity of violence reported and the dynamic law and order situation, in consultation with both the state government and the MHA.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to hold a crucial meeting to assess the security situation in Manipur and develop a strategy to address the “volatile” conditions in the state. Tensions have escalated following protests and violence linked to the recovery of bodies of women and children in the region.

On Saturday, the MHA instructed all security forces in Manipur to take necessary measures to restore order and peace. The ministry noted that armed groups from both communities involved in the conflict have engaged in violence, contributing to loss of life and public disorder. In response to the precarious situation, the Centre reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in six police station areas of Manipur, including the violence-affected Jiribam. The MHA has pledged strict action against individuals attempting to incite violence or disrupt public order.