IMPHAL, Dec 1 : Vulnerable categories of VIPs and VVIPS of the state who are still under threat from armed militants will now enjoy full security strength of escorts following the approval for creating 339 post in three MR battalions namely the 1st, 2nd and 7th and filling up of 287 resultant/anticipated vacancies of rifleman.
According to an official source, with the approval of state finance department for creation of post of 339 Manipur Rifles personnel in the 1st, 2nd and 7th MR battalions by raising one additional company each in these three battalions, the recruitment process has been completed and the recruited personnel are now ready for deployment as escorts for various VIPs and VVIPS of the state.
The government is of the opinion that at the present, there is an acute shortfall of personnel to give adequate security coverage to these VIPs and VVIPs in the face of continuous threats from various armed militants.
The official source further said the government after considering the prevailing law and order situation had approached the Centre for strengthening of three existing MR battalion 1st, 2nd and 7th which are currently stationed in the valley districts.
Personnel from these battalions are currently engaged as escort for the VIPs and VVIPs including ministers, MLAs and head of department of the state, who are in need of security protections on account of the present state of law and order in the state.
The official source further mentioned that the annual financial implication for creating these 339 posts has been worked out by the police department at Rs. 3,66,42,675. This includes the cost for one month extra pay for the eligible posts.
The creation of these posts would also necessitate the creation of vacancies in the rank of Havildar.
In all 17 of these posts were filled up by promotion from the ranks of Riflemen, this would give a resultant vacancy of 53 in rank of Riflemen.
Taking this into account, there should be an effective vacancy of 287 in rank of Riflemen, considering this lapses the state government has made its approval to include 287 vacancies to be filled and recruitment process has already been completed, the source added.