Tripura to raise twelve more TSR battalions

Agartala, Aug 8 (UNI) The Tripura government will increase its security strength by raising twelve more battalions of Tripura State Rifles (TSR).

Informing this, chief minister Manik Sarkar, who also holds the Home ministry, said he was asked by the Centre to reduce its dependence on the Central forces and raise its own securitymen.

New twelve TSR battalions will have 1210 personnel, Mr Sarkar said. It was not yet decided where the battalion headquarters would be set up.

The Central Government would provide some financial help to the state government during constitution of the new battalions, the Chief Minister said and added that salary and other allowances would have to be borne by his government.

Mr Sarkar also condemned the killing of three people of a tribal family on Monday at Khowai sub-division in Tripura's west district by the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) militants. The militants committed this crime out of frustration and it was duty of all to condemn the crime, added the Chief Minister.

He said the government has information as who were behind the killings.

UNI