The Centre on Friday dispatched 20 more companies of paramilitary forces to Manipur in the wake of the recent surge in violence in the state, officials said.

The 20 companies comprising 20,000 additional paramilitary personnel have been dispatched to the strife-stricken state days after 50 such companies were sent to Manipur after a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"Today, we had a security review meeting, and in this meeting, we reviewed the security of all the districts and Imphal city. During the meeting, Army, police, CRPF, BSF, ITBP officials were present. Whatever problems come up, we are all together. We discussed the issues with DCs and SPs of all districts," Kuldiep Singh, security advisor, Manipur government said.

With this, a total of 90 companies, comprising 90,000 additional paramilitary personnel, have been deployed in the northeastern state in the last 10 days, when the number of violent skirmishes has risen rapidly.

FRESH VIOLENCE IN MANIPUR

The latest bout of violence was triggered by the killing of a woman from the Hmar community, who was set ablaze at her home in Zairawn village, Jiribam district, on November 7.

As per certain media reports, at least 16 separate incidents of violence resulted in killings, injuries, arson, and heavy exchanges of fire between October 1 and November 18.

At least 20 people were killed in Jiribam alone between November 7 and November 18, as per reports.

More than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic clashes between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups in the northeastern state since May 3 last year.

Source: India Today