FROM OUR STAFF CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG, March 22: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma met Union Home Minister Rajth Singh during his maiden visit to the city at Assam Rifles Headquarters at Laitkor here on Monday evening and sought the latter’s attention to certain issues concerning the State.
The Chief Minister, accompanied by State Home Minister Roshan Warjri, submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister seeking his intervention on issues like Inter-State boundary dispute with Assam, insurgency in Garo Hills region and strengthening of police set up, sanctioning of additiol IR battalions, requirement of additiol forces for implementing NGT order, creation of SF-10 and setting up of residential schools in the border areas. Reiterating the ture of problems faced by the State, the Union Home Minister was requested to intervene on these matters on priority at the interest of the people of the State.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister apprised the Union Home Minister that, in view of the NGT order and for effective implementation of the same, though the State Police has been making best efforts to prevent illegal mining and illegal transportation of coal, violations are still taking place due to lack of adequate forces. Although the State Government had requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide additiol 15 companies of CAPF to effectively enforce the ban, the same has not been provided yet.
On the Assam-Meghalaya Inter-State boundary differences, it was informed to the Union Home Minister that as bilateral efforts have failed to bring about a mutually acceptable solution, the Meghalaya State Legislative Assembly had passed a unimous resolution urging the Centre to constitute a Boundary Commission to define the inter-state boundary between Assam and Meghalaya.
In order to contain the mece of insurgency in Garo Hills region, the Union Home Minister was reminded of a proposal for upgradation of police establishment and infrastructure.
The Union Home Minister was also reminded about the proposal submitted to the Ministry for extending a one-time assistance for creation of a specialized commando force SF-10. Informing that the first phase of recruitment process has been completed, the State urged upon the Ministry to consider the proposal on a priority basis so that the unit can be made operatiol without delay.