Date:04/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/04/stories/2008050455171000.htm

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Manipur to arm villagers to fight militants

Correspondent

IMPHAL: For the first time in the insurgency-afflicted north-eastern region, people of two villages in Manipur will be issued licensed guns to protect themselves against militants. This follows a spate of killings.

The Cabinet took the decision on Friday night. Bolt-action rifles, the standard police weapon, will be issued to 200 villagers of Heirok in Thoubal district and 100 villagers of Chajing in Imphal West district.

A government spokesman said that on the lines of Jammu and Kashmir, Special Police Officers (SPOs) would be appointed. They would be issued .303 rifles and motorbikes for patrol duty. Each SPO would be paid a remuneration of Rs. 3,000 a month.

The proposal for issuing licensed guns had been approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Senior officials had recently visited Manipur for an inquiry.