The Central Government has enhanced the air connectivity services by doubling the availability of chartered aircraft six days a week for CAPF personnel travelling to and fro between Kolkata and Imphal due to their “continued deployment” in Manipur, said officials.
Initially, the Central Armed Police Forces or CAPFs personnel from the CRPF, BSF, ITBP, SSB, CISF and other organisations under the Home Affairs Ministry like the Intelligence Bureau, NIA and NDRF will avail the enhanced air service till September 30.
The air service pertains to the exclusive engagement of commercial airline aircraft, like chartered planes, by the MHA for security personnel serving in the hard and extreme hard areas of Jammu and Kashmir, the northeast and the left-wing extremism or LWE hit States.
The frequency of flights between Kolkata, Imphal and Kolkata was hiked from the current three days in a week to six days due to the “frequent movement of the CAPF personnel for induction and de-induction from Manipur’s capital of Imphal owing to the dynamic security challenges occurring in the State”, informed a senior officer from the Home Affairs Ministry.
As many as 150 companies have been sent to Manipur as additional reinforcements since violence erupted in the State in May last year. A single CAPF company has an operational strength of about 75-80 personnel.
“The smooth operation of the air courier service for the CAPFs has been facing difficulties due to issues related to the pricing of tickets and adequate availability of the aircraft as many airlines have shut shop over the last few years,” said a senior CAPF officer.
