CRPF revises SOP in Manipur

The India — Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has issued a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for its personnel deployed in India — Manipur, mandating the use of bulletproof vehicles and avoiding stray movements following recent ambushes on Assam Rifles personnel. The SOP applies to approximately 20,000 CRPF personnel and 2,000 commandos from two newly deployed Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) battalions. The revised measures come after attacks on Assam Rifles: an ambush in Ukhrul district on July 6 killing two personnel, an IED blast in Chumoukedima district of India — Nagaland on July 13 killing one and injuring four, and a mob attack on an Assam Rifles camp in Senapati on July 14. Nearly 100 indigenous Marksman bulletproof vehicles have been sent to India — Manipur. The CoBRA battalions, previously deployed against Left Wing Extremism, will conduct counter-insurgency operations focusing on seizing illegal arms, demolishing bunkers, and area domination. The deployment is part of ongoing efforts by the central government and India — Manipur administration to restore peace amid ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities that has claimed over 260 lives since May 2023.