By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The new State Director General of Police (DGP), Kulbir Krishan, who assumed office on Friday evening, asserted that no one including any militant group will be allowed to interfere in the smooth conduct of the Assembly elections scheduled for early part of next year.
The outgoing acting DGP, Rajiv Mehta handed over charge to Krishan at the Police headquarters in the presence of senior police officials.
Krishan will also continue to hold the charge of DG (Prisons) as the Government has decided not to appoint any one to the post.
After assuming charge, Krishan told reporters that the candidates have the right to campaign in the elections and the militant elements, who would try to disrupt the elections, would be dealt with as per the law of the land.
The DGP asserted that sanctity of the election process will be maintained at all costs.
The police chief’s statement assumes significance in the context of the spurt in militancy and the probability of various militant groups attempting to disrupt the Assembly elections especially in Garo Hills.
Besides the banned GNLA, the ANVC (B) has also come under the scanner of the State Home department for their violent activities in Garo Hills.
The ANVC (B) recently threatened that they would not allow certain politicians to enter their constituencies in Garo Hills for campaigning.
The attack on MPCC working president Deborah Marak on Saturday last by ANVC (B) ultras is a case in point.
“We will strictly follow the rule of law. Militants are not supposed to interfere in the electoral process. The various militant groups should eschew violence and should come forward for talks to address their grievances,” Krishan added.
Krishan admitted that the upcoming days will be crucial in the context of the Assembly elections, militancy in Garo Hills and growing instances of crime against women and children in the State.
“This is a crucial time as we are facing a lot of challenges in the form of militancy and crime against women. Moreover, elections are also looming and we have a task cut out for us,” Krishan said.
The police chief, however, said that the police officers and other men on duty in Meghalaya are outstanding and second to none.
He also asserted that with the cooperation of all, the police would be able to overcome the challenges.
According to the police chief, there is a lot of expectation from the Government to ensure free and fair elections in the State.
As far as law and order situation in Garo Hills is concerned, Krishan said that he would visit Garo Hills to assess the ground reality.
This is the second tenure as State DGP for Krishan after his earlier stint as the State Police chief in 2009 during the tenure of the then UDP-NCP government.