Garo hills a priority: CS

SHILLONG, JULY 2: Meghalaya chief secretary PBO Warjri said his priority will be to find a long term solution to the the prevailing law and order situation in the militancy infested Garo hills region.

Warjri said to reports on Wednesday, “The situation is grave. The absence of peace blocks the way for development in many areas especially in Garo hills.” Making it apparent that the anti-insurgency operation will continue, he said, “The use of force is required as the problem need immediate action in term of maintaining the law and order related to criminal activities.”

However Warjri also added that using of forces is not the answer to the problem, as he felt that there is a need to find other means to come up with long term solution, be it through negotiation or development. He said, “Long term steps are not merely police force but there are various arms of the government to deal and address the problem in the right perspective.”

On the rise of militant groups in the Garo hills region, Warjri said there are various factors adding lack of development as also one of the contributing factor.  He also did not hesitate to term the militant organizations operating in Garo hills as ‘ideology-less.’ He said they seem to have stem up from certain drive that yield them short term gains.

Warjri also spoke of the need to build up the police apparatus that deals with crime in the state. He spoke about the need to build on the expertise of the policemen involved in investigation, a capable forensic laboratory and a strong prosecution team.

Warjri said, “Strengthening of these human and scientific machineries will ensure that the guilty are punish and the innocents comes out free.” He also emphasize on the importance to build the confidence of the police force right from the top to the bottom and also added  but in doing so, the men in field should not be devoid of the facilities for doing the whole-lot of work.- By Our Reporter