SHILLONG, MAR 8: Home minister James K Sangma today said that the government will not go soft on the fight against militancy in the state even as he maintained talks with militants will be welcomed but it should be ‘unconditional’.
“Militancy thankfully is on the decline and that does not mean we will go soft on the fight of militancy. We will continue in the same way and at the same pace that we are continuing right now,” James said after assuming of office on Thursday.
The two-time legislator of Dadenggre, who became minister for the first time after the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government was formed with the support of four other parties including the BJP, is also looking after 6 other departments.
These include Home (Jail), Home (Passport), Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Power, District Council Affairs and Law departments.
Asked whether the government would be open for talks with militant outfits, the home minister replied on the positive and said, “Yes. If they (militants) want to come to the negotiating table okay fine they can come but it cannot be conditional.”
“Any kind of gesture towards talks should be unconditional. They should lay down their arms and come for talks if they want to,” he added.
Admitting that the home department is never free from challenges, James, while seeking the cooperation of all officials, said the main focus of the police department should be to ensure the safety of sections of society.
“The main focus is to create an environment wherein people feel secure so that they can carry on their day to day business and their lives,” he said while stating that the government is also taking ensuring safety of women and children as top priority.
With regards to fast track courts, he said that the government will streamline the system and it is in the course of working on resolving many issues that can be termed as problems.
Meanwhile, the home minister emphasized the need to update and equip the state police with the latest technologies to fight crimes.
“In terms of technology, I believe that Meghalaya police needs to also update itself and we need to equip and train our police personnel with the latest technologies that are available because today crime is using technology and we must not allow technology to be an impediment rather it should be used as an effective tool to combat and fight crimes,” he added.
By Our Reporter
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