Security personnel inspect the Imphal blast site. A file picture

Imphal, Oct. 29: A jittery Okram Ibobi Singh government has begun a specialised training course for security guards of ministers and legislators in view of increasing attacks on them by militant groups.

The move was prompted by a militant attack close to the residence-cum-office of chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh on October 19 and a bomb blast at a gambling venue on October 21 that killed 17 people.

Sources said in the first phase of the weeklong programme, a batch of 91 personnel of the India Reserve Battalion and Manipur Rifles began the specialised training course at the Manipur Police Training Centre at Pangei in Imphal East from Monday.

All the security guards of the VIPs would be given the same training after the first batch completed its course, a source said today.

The course comprises training on physical fitness, fighting preparedness and how to protect the VIP in the face of a challenge from any assassin or ambush by militants.

Ministers and MLAs, including Ibobi Singh, have either the IRB or Manipur Rifles to guard their official quarters. They also accompany the VIPs during their official trips within the state. One VIP is given one section of personnel, comprising between eight to 10 guards.

If necessary, the government provides more police, IRB and Manipur Rifles personnel in addition to central forces like the army and Assam Rifles which patrol the routes. This is for the first time that security guards assigned for VIP protection are being given special training in Manipur.

“The move followed increasing attacks on the houses of ministers and MLAs by militants. As the threat perception has increased, the guards need specialised training to prevent unwanted incidents,” the official said.

Ibobi Singh’s secretariat-cum-official residence has come under attack thrice since 2006.

All the three attacks were carried out by the Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak).

The state police department is planning to procure two frequency jammers to prevent militants from exploding bombs by remote-controlled devices or other electronic equipment along VIP routes, the source said.

The jammers will be fitted to a vehicle that would be part of the VIP convoy, mainly those of the chief minister and Governor Gurbachan Jagat. The government is also planning to procure more sophisticated equipment for detection and neutralisation of IEDs planted by militants.