69 militancy-related crimes reported in district since 2014
SHILLONG: East Garo Hills District has been the worst affected area of Garo Hills region as far as the problem of militancy is concerned with 58 militancy-related crimes being reported from the district in 2014 and 11 similar crimes being reported so far this year.
As per official data, 232 cases were registered in the district in all from January 2014 till March 2015 and it includes 163 other IPC related cases.
Similarly, 208 cases have been registered in North Garo Hills during the same period including 55 militancy related cases and 153 other IPC related cases.
The most populous district of West Garo Hills in the Garo Hills region witnessed as many 461 cases during the same period including 39 militant-related cases and 422 IPC related cases.
South Garo Hills District witnessed 193 cases from January 2014 till March 2015 including 65 militant cases and 128 other IPC cases.
The newly-created district of South West Garo Hills also witnessed 83 cases and it included 14 militant related cases and 69 other IPC related cases.
As per the data, sensitization of police personnel are regularly convened regarding importance of preventive measures to be taken to prevent the increasing trend of crime and for maintaining law and order.
The official document of the State Government also says that modern technologies are being adopted to detect crimes wherever feasible by way of monitoring by installing CCTV cameras in vulnerable and strategic locations.
The government is also institutionalizing VDP groups with a scope for enrolment of women.
Close coordination with various peace committees from civil societies are also being maintained where communal tension is a potential threat, especially in the plain belts of Garo Hills.