Imphal, May 15: Ignoring opposition from citizens’ organisations, the Okram Ibobi Singh government in Manipur has decided to go ahead with its plan to increase the strength of the crack commando unit of the state police.

On May 6, the cabinet decided to increase the strength of police commandos from the present 800 to 1,600 to make counter-insurgency operations in the state more effective. The personnel are drawn from police, Manipur Rifles and IRB units and are specially trained to combat militants.

Last night it was decided that the additional 800 police commandos would be drawn from a new IRB unit which will be raised shortly.

The Centre has already agreed to raise one more IRB unit in addition to the six IRB units currently engaged in counter-insurgency operations.

A source said the commandos would be deployed in the state’s five hill districts, besides the four valley districts where they are deployed at present.

The army and the Assam Rifles are currently combating the militants in the hill districts where various militant groups are allegedly running bases.

The move to increase the strength of the crack commando unit coincides with the state government’s decision to set up special police officers (SPOs) to arm villagers against militants.