India's northeast ups security

NEW DELHI, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- India has asked its insurgency-hit northeastern states to step up security patrols to check incidents of violence.

Acting on directives from the federal Interior Ministry, the governments of Manipur and other states have decided to increase patrols.

Expressing concern over the security scenario, the chief minister of the state sought explanations from police and security forces about measures taken to contain the situation, The Assam Tribune newspaper reported Thursday.

The review meetings took place Wednesday amid the backdrop of recent killings of youths, kidnapping of officials for ransom and killings of civilians by militants.

Officials in Manipur said the recent spate of killings was linked to infighting within the militant People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak.