Package to surrendered ultras “successful”

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, MAR 3: Meghalaya Governor Banwarilal Purohit today asserted that the government’s approach to facilitate surrendered cadres to take advantage of its rehabilitation package has been “very successful”.

In his maiden address to the Meghalaya Assembly on the opening day of the budget session on Friday, the Governor said, “My government has created an enabling environment to create a conducive environment to facilitate surrendering of the cadres of militant and insurgent outfits and assimilate themselves into the national mainstream which is yielding positive results.”

Purohit also pointed out that the major highlights of 2016 included the surrender of 117 militants and the disbanding of one insurgent outfit in June last year.

On the methods adopted to neutralise militants, he said the government had embarked upon sustained operations against various militant groups. At the same time, he said the active support of the public has been garnered apart from taking up civic action programmes on a massive scale.

In relation to the measures taken to strengthen the internal security apparatus, he said, “The internal security situation in our state is by and large peaceful.”

Moreover, Purohit said police personnel have been augmented and are posted in the interiors of the state to instil confidence among the local people and to check the movements and activities of militant outfits.

For public convenience and better administration, he said 18 police stations were being created. Recently, he said Salmanpara Police Station in South West Garo Hills and Mawngap Police Station in East Khasi Hills were inaugurated.

“Very soon, the remaining new police stations will be created and dedicated to our people,” he said while adding that the Special Force-10 has been inducted for anti-militancy operations in the state.

On the Indo-Bangla border fencing, Purohit said the government was committed to complete the border fencing at a fast pace especially in certain pockets where fencing was pending.

However, the Governor said that the situation on the international border with Bangladesh as well as the inter-state border with Assam, especially in Block-I and Block-II areas, also remained “peaceful”. But at the same time, he said the disputed pockets along the Assam-Meghalaya border are being continuously monitored.

“Efforts are on to solve the boundary dispute with Assam at the level of the Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries of both the states by way of a permanent solution,” he said.

On illegal immigration and influx, the Governor said that comprehensive measures were being put in place and serious efforts were being made to complete various interventions.

Purohit also informed the House that the separation of the judiciary from the executive in six districts has been completed and steps are being taken to replicate the same in the remaining five districts.