SHILLONG: Even as the State Government is contemplating to declare certain pockets in militancy-infested Garo Hills as ‘disturbed area’, Meghalaya DGP PJP Hanaman feels that such a move is uncalled for at this juncture.
Addressing pressmen here on Tuesday, the DGP said that declaring Garo Hills as disturbed area would mean bringing the army into the region “which is not desirable”.
Hanaman, however, admitted that the State was short on forces.
Earlier, the State Government had indicated that it would examine all aspects before taking the final call on whether to declare certain areas in Garo Hills as disturbed area.
In a clear indication that militancy is at its peak in Meghalaya, 21 militants have been killed in the state in the last six months while 13 civilians lost their lives during the same period. As many as 130 ultras have also been arrested from January to June 2014.
In the last six months, police also recovered a sizeable cache of arms — 51 weapons and 1166 rounds of ammunition– while there have been as many as 28 cases of abduction.
Hanaman said that the recent NGT ban on coal mining has also affected the militants in some way or the other.
Expressing satisfaction at the performance of Meghalaya police in tackling militancy, Hanaman said that it is quite possible that the outfits which are under peace settlement are selling their arms to other militant organizations for their survival.
He said that the state based militants usually get arms and ammunition from Bangladesh, Myanmar and states like Nagaland.
When asked about police personnel with alleged links with militants, Hanaman said that there are “some bad apples in the force” and police have dismissed them besides keeping them out of circulation by booking them under the Meghalaya Prevention Detention Act (MPDA).
Hanaman said the policemen against whom action have been taken includes havildar Betharstone R Marak of the 4th battalion who was arrested in March 2010 along with ammunition; Balgra Marak, a constable, Jimberth R Marak and others.
“A few more personnel are on our radar and we will ensure the same action is taken against them as well.” he said.
Abduction of SBI manager: On the recent kidnapping and rescue of a SBI branch manager, the DGP said that police have so far identified three people who were involved in the incident but refused to divulge any further details about their links with militant outfits.
He also refuted the allegation that rescue of SBI official, Arvind Kumar within two days by police was a hoax.
Hanaman said “No matter what we do people will still be unhappy.”
It may be mentioned that conflicting reports and theories continue to surround the kidnapping and subsequent rescue of the SBI branch manager of Ampati with police initially blaming militant groups for the abduction but later retracting and pointing a finger at a criminal gang comprising of both locals and non-locals with its roots in neighbouring Assam.
“All militants are criminals and all criminals are not militants,” he said.