SHILLONG, JUNE 24: Even as the Meghalaya DGP Peter James Pyngrope Hanaman said the police has not got any direction from the state government’s chief executive (chief minister) to probe into the politico- militant nexus, in the same breath he was of the opinion that it is not required to declare certain areas in Garo hills region as ‘disturbed areas’ as the police is doing an excellent job fighting militancy despite several constraints.
Addressing a media conference on Tuesday, Hanaman told reporters, “The chief executive of state government has not asked the police department to probe into allegations relating to politico-militant nexus.”
The denial by Hanaman is in contrast to what the chief minister Mukul Sangma had repeatedly claimed that such directions have been given to the state police and as he does not rule out the alleged politician- militant nexus in the state.
Hanaman categorically said, “I am not aware of such probe and I am not a party with the probe.”
The opposition in Meghalaya have been demanding for a CBI probe into the alleged politico-militant nexus after the ANVC(B) political affairs secretary Ajaju Marak made serious allegation against the chief minister and his nexus with militants.
The state police chief, however, informed that a few policemen were dismissed from the service and booked under MPDA Act for having a nexus with insurgent groups.
Elaborating on the action taken against the uniform men who were suspected of helping and aiding militant groups including the GNLA, Hanaman said, “We have some bad apples in the force and we have dismissed and thrown them out from their services besides keeping them out of circulation by booking them under the Meghalaya Prevention Detention Act (MPDA).”.
Hanaman said the policemen against whom action have been taken includes Havildar Betharstone R Marak of the 4th Battalion who was arrested in March 2010 along with ammunition, Balgra Marak, a constable, Jimberth R Marak and others. The jailed GNLA chairman Champion Sangma was also a DSP.
Hanaman said such action sent strong message to the policemen to refrain from such activities even as he revealed,“A few more personnel are on our radar and will ensure the same action are taken against them as well.”
On the proposed government and GNLA talks, Hanaman said the police job is to fight the militant and not to talk even as he said such political dialogue has to be there which part of a political decision is.
With regards to the idea of declaring certain part of Garo Hills region as disturbed area, Hanaman was of the opinion that this is not at all required.
Hanaman said, “Declaring Garo hills as disturbed area means bringing the army in the region which is not require at this juncture.” He said the Meghalaya police are doing an excellent job in some of the districts in fighting against militancy despite various constraints faced by the men in uniform. – By Our Reporter
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