Shillong, January 27: The state cabinet has decided to fast-track the proposed creation of a Special Multi-Task Force (SMTF) or Special Force-10 to strengthen internal security and add to the police arsenal a special force that will help in counter insurgency operations and maintenance of law and order problems. The new force will also open up job avenues for the youth of the state.
Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma told reporters after the cabinet meeting on Monday, “We wanted to fast track the proposal for coming up with a Special Multi-Task Force, design not only to cater to the need or demand of the given situation but also creating employment opportunities for our youth.”
The proposed SMTF will have the strength of 10 companies will be 1795 personnel out of which one company will be reserved for the women cadres. Sangma informed soon the recruitment process will start and notification is expected to be issued immediately.
Sangma said all these years whenever the state had internal security challenges it often had to wait for the central government to dispatch additional forces on deputation to meet the security need of the state. However, he lamented, that these forces are withdrawn whenever there are emergencies in other parts of the country. He was of the opinion that with SMTF in place, the security need of the state can be met internally instead of waiting for forces on deputation.
Giving an example of the recent activities of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) in parts of West Khasi Hills region, Sangma said, “The state needs to invest adequately for taking care of its internal security apparatus by re-strategizing our approach and provide the kind of the security for the people.”
Sangma rued that even after 40 years, the state still have a police outpost with strength of only 6-8 police force. In this regards he informed that the state government has also submitted another proposal to the centre on the need to strengthen the existing police organizations.
Sangma said, “After discussion with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), we have submitted a proposal for strengthening the existing police stations proposing that each police stations should have two categories of police force – one is having a strength of 80 force and other will have a strength of 40 force in order to be capable of responding to a given situation.”
Sangma said the MHA had advised him to give two proposals as phase I and II and asked him to focus mainly on the insurgency infested areas which he said the government has done and is waiting for the approval of the centre.- By Our Reporter
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