Told to hand over keys to Kangla, Assam Rifles begins house-hunting

While the transfer should still be smooth, questions are already being asked about the method. Sources said that the official communique for vacating the 46 acres landed only today, though word had been conveyed less than a week ago. Possibly, the Home Ministry took the decision a bit earlier in Delhi.

Their image already dented by the Manorama case, the Assam Rifles seems determined to move its last man out before Singh’s arrival. Neighbouring formations, sources said, have come to the aid of these displaced personnel and tents are being erected at places like Mantripukhri (4 km from the fort) and Keithalmanbi (roughly 20 km away) to house the families and personnel. The story of the 46 acres dates back to the early 1980s when the then Minister of State for Home M M Jacob, in a speech here, announced that the Assam Rifles will hand over the historic fort to the state government.

From there began deliberations between the Home Ministry and the Manipur government on the modalities. ‘‘We fully understand the attachment of Manipuris with Kangla Fort. And just for that purpose, we are willing to vacate it. But the manner in which it is being done is most humiliating,’’ said a senior military official.

It was apparently agreed that the state would give 400 acres of clear land to Assam Rifles to relocate itself from the fort and other areas in the vicinity. This also included the land for battalions inducted during the 1990s, following a rise in insurgency. Assam Rifles officials claim that only 200 acres of this land have so far been allotted.

Despite this, it was decided that Assam Rifles would pull out of Kangla Fort. But it was agreed that 46 of the 175 acres would be retained to ensure some military presence in Imphal city.

Given Kangla’s location in the heart of Imphal, sources said, military presence was vital for the security of state institutions. The Manorama episode saw the process of relocation being expedited and when Home Minister Shivraj Patil was here in September, it was agreed that this would be completed according to the old formula, by December 2004.

This suited Assam Rifles, as a decision had been taken to create the post of an IG (Assam Rifles-South) in Imphal, to oversee operations of all AR units in the area. The headquarters was to be stationed with some 250-300 personnel in the 46 acres within the fort. The 17 Assam Rifles battalion, embroiled in the Manorama controversy, was packed off from the fort to Keithalmanbi a month ago while headquarters got busy adjusting itself within the stipulated boundary of the 46 acres. And it then got busier, preparing for the PM’s visit to ensure it put its best foot forward. But the order to vacate the whole of Kangla Fort has left them stunned.