Over 3000 youths to be absorbed in Special Force 10

SHILLONG: Around 3000 youths would be absorbed in the “Meghalaya Special Force 10” this year.
Speaking to media persons after the Cabinet meeting held here on Thursday, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that as per the Cabinet decision, the SF 10 would now be known as the Meghalaya Special Force 10.
Stating that the Meghalaya SF 10 would have two categories of commando and riot and law and order units, Sangma said that cops in the force would be entitled to special allowance.
He added that although the total strength of the Meghalaya SF 10 was supposed to be 1613, only 599 youths were selected for the force.
“Since the eligibility criteria for enrolment into the SF 10 was very stringent and most candidates found it tough to meet the height parameter, the State Cabinet has decided that the height parameter for other commandos and those in SF 10 would be the same,” Sangma said.
Meanwhile, the State Government also amended the “transparent recruitment policy” of the state police reducing the 10-kilometre run criteria in the physical endurance test (PET) to 5 kilometres.
“Earlier aspiring candidates had to run 10 kilometers in the PET and many aspiring were disqualified since they could not complete the test. However, with the amendment now, the candidates will have to run 5 kilometers but there will be certain added parameters.”
Sangma also said that now candidates will be selected through marking system.
“For unarmed branch there will be 250 marks for PET, 150 marks for written test and 50 marks for the interview; for armed branch, there will be 200 marks for PET, 200 marks for written test and 50 marks for interview,” he said.