No bullet proof jackets, vehicles during counter-insurgency ops
SHILLONG: The killing of a police officer by the militants on Thursday has once again brought to the fore absence of sophisticated combat equipments especially bullet proof jackets and bullet proof vehicles with the police when they are deployed in anti-insurgency operations in Garo Hills.
The team of policemen led by Pramoth Sangma (50), who was reportedly killed by militants, did not use any protective gear including old bullet proof jackets, which were earlier reported to be too heavy.
In Khasi Hills, many bullet proof vehicles were used for the operations against HNLC militants in the past which saw positive results whereas old bullet proof vehicles are gathering dust in Garo Hills.
The policemen posted on the ground fighting insurgents or a violent crowd are at the receiving ends as they are yet to fully equipped with sophisticated protective gears despite the fact that there is huge funds coming from the Centre in the name of police modernization.
After the killing of five police personnel by militants in November last year, the Home Department had submitted a proposal to the State Government for procurement of light bullet proof jackets and other combat materials. The plan is yet to materialize.
Sources said that there is a need to simply the process of purchase of equipments since it deals with the security of the police personnel, who work in difficult areas like Garo Hills.
On July 25 this year, two Meghalaya policemen were killed and three others injured in an IED blast at Tebronggre near Rongram, outskirts of Tura.
Following the incident, after the question on the use of bullet proof vehicles was raised, the DGP PJP Hanaman had said that Home (Police) department had sought Rs 10 crore from the North Eastern Council (NEC) for procurement of the bullet proof vehicles and the proposal in this regard was submitted to the Planning department.
The police chief had also admitted that the bullet proof vehicles, maximum of which are at the disposal of the State police in Garo Hills, have become obsolete and needed urgent repair.