Staff Correspondent
Shillong, March 25: Meghalaya cabinet has agreed to appoint the former state Director General of Police Rajiv Mehta as the Security adviser to the Government. Informing newsmen soon after the cabinet meeting held at the state secretariat, the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma while ming Rajeev Mehta as the appointed person stated that the cabinet approved his me base on his background and experience. “The Government has long felt to have a dedicated person with experience and proper background to guide the government in dealing with the security related issues and apparatus in the state,” stated the Chief Minister adding, the new appointee will articulate his recommendations, offer suggestion solutions to security issues, combating militancy, insurgency as well as anticipated short and long term challenges whether seen or unforeseen”.
In choosing Mehta, a man who has served as the state DGP and DG rcotic control Bureau(NCB), New Delhi, The government also sees his role as pivotal in co-coorditing with the sister states in border magement and to push ahead with the administrative reforms in the police force. “ We need vital support system in our strengthening the security apparatus –whether training, manning human issues, police -community relationship , forensics and prosecution and the political department after an interl exercise carried has recommended his me,” stated Mukul Sangma.
Going by source in the political department, Rajiv Mehta me immediately prop up for the coveted post that has been created for the first time in Meghalaya. “When the wish of the state government to have his tenure as the DGP extended was turned down by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government has always desired to use his expertise after his superannuation,” stated a source. Mehta was the DGP when the operation Hill storm was launched against the GNLA in the five districts of Garo Hills. It was during his tenure as the DGP that some of the top notches in the GNLA were either liquidated or forced to surrender.
In one and a half years, more than 150 odd GNLA surrendered with arms and ammunitions. The Sentinel got in touch with Mehta over phone and he said that his joining will depend on the notification issued by the government.