SHILLONG: Meghalaya’s new Director General of Police (DGP) Peter James Pyngrope Haneman believes that a strong political will is required to tackle the problem of militancy.
“It is important that the strategy adopted by the police to tackle the problem of militancy should have a political back up. The basic objective in dealing with the problem of militancy is to bring back the misguided youth into the mainstream,” Haneman said while speaking to newsmen after assuming office as the new State police chief here on Monday.
The newly appointed DGP said that his priority would be the maintenance of law and order and also prevention and detection of crime. He also mentioned that he would accord priority to ensure the arrest of the rapist cop Narul Islam who is facing criminal charges for allegedly raping two minor sisters at a remote police station in South West Garo Hills District.
“There is a need to beef up intelligence gathering by the police. If the intelligence gathering is weak it would prove to be a great disadvantage in the maintenance of law and order,” Haneman said.
He also assured that his department would adhere to the Police Act in the maintenance of law and order and detection and prevention of crimes.
Commenting on the large number of cases in the State which are pending due to incomplete investigation by police including a number of rape cases, CMJ University scam and others, Haneman said that the intelligence network of the State Police needs to be strengthened so that the police force can gain an upper ) hand against anti-social elements.
“The society and the government have high expectations from the police force and it would be my earnest endeavor to deliver on those expectations,” Haneman added. While asserting that the buck stops with him as far as policing in the State is concerned, Haneman assured that he has the backing of an excellent team of officers to tackle the challenges ahead of him. A 1979 Assam-Meghalaya cadre IPS officer, Haneman was one of the five senior officers empanelled by the State Security Commission headed by Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma for appointment as the State police chief.