Authorities will arm 500 villagers with semiautomatic rifles in remote northeastern India to protect themselves from separatist rebel groups that have targeted civilians and attacked isolated villages, officials said Sunday. The state government of Manipur's decision to enlist civilians as “special police officers” in its longtime battle against insurgents follows attacks that sparked outrage in two jungle villages and left four people dead, including two teenage girls. But the new strategy has drawn criticism from local rights groups who argue that arming villagers could increase violence in the area. “The move will encourage bloodshed in Manipur among people of the same ethnic origin,” said a statement by a coalition of civil society groups called the United Committee Manipur. Officials countered that the villagers requested the weapons to defend themselves. Manipur, which borders Myanmar, is wracked with insurgents from at least 17 rebel groups who have fought for decades for independent homelands in the region, often demanding money and support from villagers and threatening or killing civilians seen as loyal to the state. More than 5,000 people have been killed in the past 10 years. Villagers have become “increasingly frustrated by the violent activities of the separatist groups,” state government minister N. Biren told The Associated Press from Imphal, the state capital. “The militants will now face a challenge from civilians too, aside from the armed forces,” he said. Rebel groups could not be reached for comment. Nearly every northeastern state battles rebel armies, but Manipur is the only one that has not begun peace talks with any of the insurgent groups. The government decided Friday to recruit 500 people from the villages of Heirok and Chajing, where the recent attacks took place. The special officers, who will receive monthly salaries of Rs3,000 ($75), will begin operating in mid
