By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: With the law and order situation in Garo Hills worsening by the day, a worried State Government has implored the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to rush in additional forces in the light of recent incidents leading to loss of several lives.
The State has requested the Union Home Ministry for twelve additional companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and three companies of the Border Security Force (BSF), besides two companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) to be made available for a period of 15 days.
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma shot off a letter to Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Monday evening with the request for providing additional forces to the State to ensure that the situation in Garo Hills does not deteriorate since escalating violence could also result in a backlash along the Assam-Meghalaya border.
In the letter, the Chief Minister informed that Union Minister about the steps taken by the State to contain the situation and also apprised him of the possibilities of the situation spiraling out of control in case of a backlash in Assam.
The letter also mentioned that the Chief Minister has communicated the matter to his Assam counterpart and requested him to take pre-emptive measures as there is a substantial population of ethnic groups of Meghalaya residing in Assam.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary WMS Pariat on Monday admitted that security in some portion of Garo Hills was a matter of concern and stated that the State Government is trying to get additional Central forces to tackle the situation.
Pariat also informed that the State Government has strengthened police presence in highly sensitive areas and has requested the Assam Government to keep a close vigil on the volatile Assam-Meghalaya inter-state border.
