State Cabinet clears formation of multi-task force
SHILLONG: The State Cabinet has christened the proposed Special Multi Task Force as ‘Special Force 10′ appointment to which will be fast tracked to make it functional at the earliest.
The area of focus of Special Force 10 will be to tackle insurgency, engage in riot control and to ensure communal harmony especially in the border areas.
Following a cabinet meeting on Monday, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said that there was a need to fast track the formation of the Special Multi Task Force “since the State has to depend on central security forces to maintain internal security.”
The formation of the Special Force was necessitated in the context of lack of sufficient police strength to tackle militancy and other law and order problems.
Elaborating further on the matter, Home Minister Roshan Warjri said that the new police unit is called Special Force 10 as ten companies of police personnel will form part of the Force.
The strength of Special Force will be 1,795 personnel including the support staff and out of this , one company will be reserved for women applicants.
The Force will be imparted multi- faceted special training by experts from outside the State.
To facilitate recruitment to the Special Force, the Meghalaya Police Act will be amended, Warjri said, adding that the height for male SC/ST candidates has been fixed at 162 cm and for others it will be 167.
For the female SC/ST candidates, the height has been suggested at 155 cm and 160 for others.
The qualification for the posts of armed branch sub inspectors will be bachelors’ degree in any stream and for the constables who will be appointed as commandos, the qualification will be matriculation.
The Chief Minister added that the Cabinet decided to fast track the recruitment for all the posts under Special Force and the advertisements in this regard will be floated soon.
The purpose of forming the Special Force was to address the internal security of the State and this will also strengthen the state police, he added.
“We used to run from pillar to post to get forces to tackle law and order situation in the state and we very often depend on the Centre to dispatch para-military forces, but they are withdrawn after a certain period, hence the necessity of forming the Special Force arose,” Dr Sangma said.
Special Force- 10
- Strength: 1795 personnel (one company for women)
- Focus: Counter insurgency, riot control, and communal harmony.
- Relaxation: Height for male SC/ST candidates: 162 cm, others (167).
- Female SC/ST candidates: 155 cm, others 160.
- Qualification: Armed branch Sub Inspectors (Bachelors degree in any stream).
- Constables to be appointed as commandos ( matriculation).