Imphal: On the second anniversary of the Manipur crisis, a major show of force took place in Imphal, the state capital. A combined force of over 1000 personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Imphal police participated in a 20-kilometre flag march. The operation, which began at the palace compound and concluded near the airport road, aimed to reassure the public and deter any potential violence.
DIG Shivsankar Upadhyay, commander of the 44th Battalion CRPF, explained that the flag march was a confidence-building measure. He said that it was designed to demonstrate the security forces’ neutrality and commitment to maintaining peace and order in Imphal East and West districts. He stressed the forces’ preparedness to respond decisively to any threats to the state’s tranquillity. The large-scale operation, involving approximately 150 vehicles, was a collaborative effort between the CRPF and the local civil police.
Upadhyay highlighted the collaborative nature of the operation, underscoring the importance of the joint effort in projecting a strong message of security and stability. The march was not an isolated incident, but part of a broader series of initiatives undertaken across Manipur to maintain order and address public concerns following the eruption of conflict two years prior. This specific march, however, represented the culmination of these efforts for the time being.
The authorities stressed the dual objective of the flag march: to reassure the citizens of Imphal that security forces were actively working to maintain peace, and to send a strong message to potential troublemakers that any attempt to disrupt the peace would be met with a swift and resolute response. While acknowledging public apprehension, the officials expressed confidence that the operation would significantly contribute to restoring a sense of security and stability.
