New Delhi, July 16 -- Two battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF) elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) unit will begin operations against armed miscreants in Manipur as part of the Centre's efforts to strengthen security and restore lasting peace in the violence-hit state.

After the declaration of Naxal-free India at the end of March this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had moved the two CoBRA battalions--207 Battalion based in West Bengal and 210 Battalion based in Assam--to undertake specific operations against armed groups involved in violence in the state.

Comprising around 2,000 commandos, the specialised jungle warfare units will operate from designated hubs and respond to incidents or unde...