TURA, JULY 7: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma said that thirty six new police stations will be set up in the state to enhance police infrastructure.
“Identification for setting up of new police station in the state is being done at the government level. This is to ensure effective police administration in Meghalaya”, said Sangma, while inaugurating the new Ampati police station building in South West Garo hills district on Monday
“There is shortage of manpower in the police department to deal with regular crime, militancy and investigation. Hence, the government has decided to create new infrastructure taking into consideration the present scenario”, the chief minister said.
Dedicating the new police station to the people of the district, the chief minister said, “Police organisation is associated with everyone’s life. They protect our rights with the rule of the law and provide security. Police – public relationship is very importance for effective delivery of the system”.
Urging the people to abide by the laws and abstain from crime and other anti-social activities, the chief minister said, “Laws are outcome of the commandment of God. Progressive and civilized societies live with the rule of the law”.
Terming that people have lost faith in police and judiciary due to “delay in trial” and “conviction”, the chief minister said, “Police system needs to be strengthened, so that timely investigation can be completed and judiciary can pronounce conviction. This will remind the people of the existence of law”.
The newly created South West Garo Hills district, which is close to India-Bangladesh, about 70 km from Tura is being regularly used by the militants as a safe transit heaven. Just a month ago, an SBI official from the district was abducted, who was rescued after two days.
There has been several kidnappings for ransom, which has also gone unreported. In the last two months, at least eight kidnapping has taken place from the district. In five districts of Garo hills, at least 30 kidnappings have taken place in the last two months.
There are two police stations in the district – at Mahendraganj, which is very close to Bangladesh and at Ampati.
Till 2005, the strife torn Garo hills region of Meghalaya had just six police stations and few outposts in selected locations.
In 2007, the outpost at Ampati was upgraded to police station, which was functioning from a police barrack.
In 1946, the area got its first police watch post during the reign of the British, which was upgraded by Assam government in 1956 as a police outpost.
South West Garo Hills is a new district created in 2011. It is the home constituency of chief minister Mukul Sangma.
Catch Nurul Islam first…why protect him…and Who is protecting him???