Imphal, June 14: Welcoming the Manipur government’s move to arm the villagers of Heirok, the inspector-general of Assam Rifles (South), Maj. Gen. A.K. Choudhary, today said the security forces would protect them.

Heirok in Thoubal district has been facing threats from militant groups for its decision to take arms from the government for self-defence.

“We believe the government will protect Heirok. The security forces will also ensure the safety of the villagers,” Gen. Choudhary told reporters in Mantripukhri on the outskirts of Imphal. The assurance came a day after the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup and the United National Liberation Front threatened not to allow the villagers to venture out of Heirok if they took weapons from the government.