Union MoS for Home takes stock of security scenario in Meghalaya
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Union Minister of State for Home, Jitendra Singh, on Sunday stated that the Central Government has empowered all states to improve the capacity of their intelligence network.
The statement came from the Union MoS during his one-day visit to Shillong in view of the fact that many parts of the State are affected by insurgency.
In its bid to improve the overall law and order situation in the State and the country as a whole, the Central Government will sanction the setting up of hi-tech police stations.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs will sanction the police stations soon,” Singh told reporters here on Sunday.
According to Singh, a whopping Rs 3,500 crore would be sanctioned for the project identified as Crime and Criminals Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS), adding that initial paper work for the project has already been done.
“Under this project, all police stations would be linked and local police would no longer have to visit other States to get information about a case,” he added.
During his one-day visit to Shillong, Singh also reviewed the overall law and order situation in the State and assured that the Central Government will approach the State Government to find out if there are additional requirements.
The Minister also expressed concern over the poor infrastructural development of the North East region as a whole.
“Development of North East is a priority for the Centre and the region and deserves importance in view of its poor infrastructural development and hostile international neighbours,” he said. He was also of the view that the North East region needs to be opened to the rest of the country as other states have moved forward but the region has lagged behind.
Commenting on India’s relationship with neighbouring countries he said though NE has hostile neighbours, yet India is moving ahead to create bilateral ties with some of the neighbouring countries.
“We need to strike a balance while dealing with our neighbours,” he said, adding that Indo-Bangladesh ties have improved considerably over the past few years since the Sheikh Hasina Government is favourable towards India. This in turn has helped reduce tension along the international border, he said.
Later in the day, the Union Minister of State visited the Directorate General of Assam Rifles (DGAR) at Laitkor where he was briefed on the security situation in the North East with particular reference to management of Indo-Myanmar border.
During his visit, the Minister also laid wreaths at the Assam Rifles War Memorial at a solemn function in the pristine environs of the Laitkor Garrison and paid homage to the valiant soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice while serving the Nation.