Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced on Monday that newly recruited police cadets from the Meitei and Kuki communities would be strategically posted together as a unified team to foster peace in the ethnically tense state. Around 2,000 recruits graduated from the Lachit Borphukan Police Academy, bolstering the state’s law enforcement. The passing-out ceremony was attended by Singh and the Governor of Assam and Manipur, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, who served as chief guests.
Emphasizing the need for unity, Singh declared that dividing cadets along community lines arose from the current conflict but vowed it would not recur. “We must work together to restore peace,” he said, reinforcing that the recruits would operate as a cohesive team, mirroring their intensive training experience.
Among the newly graduated recruits, 62% are Meiteis, 12% are Kukis, and the remaining 26% comprise individuals from Naga and other tribal communities. Singh noted that the current law and order issues in Manipur are intricate and will require time to stabilize, although he acknowledged signs of peace returning to the region.
Addressing the issue of illegal immigration, Singh highlighted recent arrests of Bangladeshi nationals illegally entering India through Manipur. He stressed that this issue extends beyond Manipur, affecting neighboring states like Assam, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh, calling for a collaborative regional approach to the problem.
The Chief Minister’s focus on unity and collaboration underscores an effort to heal communal rifts in Manipur and address broader regional challenges collectively. As the new police recruits begin their service, their role in reinstating peace and order remains pivotal.
