‘Centre can decide on enforcement of AFSPA in GH’
SHILLONG: Meghalaya police chief Rajiv Mehta has admitted that the law and order situation in the insurgency-hit districts of the Garo Hills was “worrisome”, but said it was up to the Centre to take a decision on the Meghalaya High Court order to enforce the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
Mehta’s admission came a day after the High Court asked the Centre to consider the use of AFSPA and deployment of armed and paramilitary forces to control the deteriorating law and order situation in the Garo Hills.
“The Central government can consider and examine it (court order). They can judge what it is happening and take a decision,” Mehta said after attending a high-level security meeting chaired by Chief Secretary PBO Warjri here on Tuesday.
“There is no denying of the problem (militancy problem in Garo Hills). We think that over a period of time, we can overcome the problem and sort it out. And if the situation warrants for army operations, the state and Central governments will interact on it,” he added.
When asked if the situation warrants imposition of AFSPA in Garo Hills, he said, ” I think we are doing ok”.
The results of Meghalaya police operations in Garo Hills have been quite satisfactory, he said adding “abductions take place everywhere.”
He said that the police have identified few groups involved in several abduction cases and some of them have already been neutralized.
It may be mentioned that, the High court order came following the recent kidnapping and killing of Intelligence Bureau officer Bikash Kumar Singh and businessman Kamal Saha by militants of the A’chik Songna An’pachakgipa Kotok and abduction of government official Jude Rangku T. Sangma by the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants. (With inputs from agencies)