Dergaon (Assam): In a significant move to strengthen the Manipur Police, nearly 2,000 recruits successfully completed their training at the Lachit Borphukan Police Academy in Dergaon, Assam.
The graduation ceremony, held on Monday, marked the end of a rigorous 44-week training program aimed at enhancing the police force in the violence-affected northeastern state.
The event was graced by Assam and Manipur Governor, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, and Manipur Chief Minister, N Biren Singh, who were the chief guests at the ceremony.
The intensive training program began in January 2024, with 1,984 recruits enrolled from various battalions, including the India Reserve and Manipur Rifles.
However, two recruits tragically lost their lives due to medical conditions, and others opted out for health or personal reasons, leaving 1,946 to graduate.
The Lachit Borphukan Police Academy was selected for this important training initiative due to its proven track record, having successfully trained nearly 7,000 recruits in the past two years.
The program, initially designed to last 44 weeks, was extended slightly due to a two-week mid-term break in June 2024, during which many recruits arrived late after the recess.
Given the ongoing law and order challenges in Manipur and the potential high-risk environments these recruits could be deployed in, the training focused on building physical endurance, firing proficiency, and tactical skills.
Special emphasis was placed on unarmed combat (UAC), crowd control, disaster management, and mental toughness.
A unique component of the training was national integration sessions that aimed to build team cohesion and foster unity among recruits from diverse backgrounds.
The training also included soft skills development to ensure the recruits are well-rounded in their approach to law enforcement.
The new recruits came from a broad spectrum of communities, with 62 percent being Meiteis, 12 percent Kukis, and the remaining 26 percent from Naga and other tribal communities.
The academy addressed initial concerns about their fitness levels, with half of the recruits being overweight, including 5 percent classified as obese.
By the end of the training, only 5 percent remained overweight, largely due to medical conditions.
This group of recruits represents a crucial addition to the Manipur Police force, which has been under significant strain due to the ongoing ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups in the state.
Since May 2023, more than 250 people have lost their lives in the violence, and thousands have been displaced.
With the completion of this rigorous training program, the recruits are now ready to join the Manipur Police and contribute to restoring peace and stability in the region.
