SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Government has admitted that the State Police cannot match GNLA and other militant groups operating in the Garo Hills in firepower.
In reply to a question during the Question Hour, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that the militant groups had more sophisticated weapons compared to the police.
“As far as the state of the art weapons are concerned, the militants have latest and new AK series and moreover they are equipped with Under Barrel Grenade Launchers. Moreover, explosives launchers and remote control devices are also in the possession of the militants,” the Chief Minister said.
To a supplementary question, the Chief Minister said that the police did not have UBGL but as far as AK series were concern, they could match with the militants.
Later, while taking part in the discussion on an adjournment motion, former Chief Minister DD Lapang said that the police were not well trained to update themselves.
“The equipments including arms and ammunitions of the police are inferior to that of militants,” he said while reiterating on the need to upgrade the police force both in terms of modern training and also in weaponry.
According to Lapang, there was a need to have more power in the police as very often CRPF deployed in the State were withdrawn without giving sufficient time to the State Government.
He said that 19 companies were moved out of Garo Hills after the Lok Sabha polls.