CRPF Deploys CoBRA Battalions to Address Violence in Manipur
Deployment of CoBRA Battalions in Manipur
Security operations underway in Manipur hill districts. (AT Photo)
New Delhi, Jun 1: The Indian government has initiated the deployment of two battalions from the CoBRA unit of the CRPF for operational tasks in Manipur, as confirmed by official sources on Sunday.
Efforts are being made by both the state administration and the central government to restore lasting peace in Manipur, where ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities have resulted in over 260 fatalities and left thousands displaced since May 2023.
According to officials, the Ministry of Home Affairs has sanctioned the proposal from the Central Reserve Police Force to send two CoBRA battalions to Manipur. These include Battalion No. 207 from West Bengal and Battalion No. 210 from Assam.
"The CoBRA battalions will conduct targeted operations against armed groups involved in violence within Manipur," stated a senior security official, noting that these units are expected to arrive in the state within the upcoming weeks.
The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) was established by the CRPF in 2008-09 to combat Left Wing Extremism (LWE) and insurgency issues in various Indian states, particularly in the Northeast.
Currently, CoBRA consists of 10 battalions, primarily engaged in anti-Naxal operations, with each battalion comprising approximately 1,000 commandos.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has recognized the CoBRA commandos for their effective intelligence-driven jungle warfare and guerrilla tactics against Naxals, which contributed to the decline of Maoist violence in the country as of March this year.
As operations against LWE have shifted focus to locating and neutralizing hidden improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ensuring general area security, the CRPF has decided to deploy two CoBRA units to Manipur, where the journey towards complete peace is ongoing.
"Additional CoBRA and CRPF units are available to address areas affected by Naxal violence following the decline of armed Naxalism in the country. There is also a possibility that one or two CoBRA units may be dispatched to Jammu and Kashmir for comprehensive operations once a final decision is reached," added another official.