Mukul blasts Centre for denying extension to Mehta

SK Jain appointed acting DGP

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has slammed the Centre for not responding to the request of the State Government to extend the services of DGP Rajiv Mehta who retired on Thursday.
Castigating the alleged indifferent attitude, Sangma accused the Centre of playing politics over the issue rather than trying to help Meghalaya in its continued efforts to curb militancy in Garo Hills.
The Meghalaya Chief Minister went on to say that the NDA government at the Centre was only good at making tall claims on the supposed ‘Act East policy’ whereas in reality a crucial file already passed by the Home Ministry takes weeks to be cleared.
It may be mentioned that the file pertaining to the extension of Mehta’s service had been lying at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) since May. The State Government had requested extension of Mehta’s tenure citing that his services were required for some time to ensure continuity of the successful ongoing anti-insurgency operations in Garo Hills under the code name– ‘Operation Hillstorm’ spearheaded by the outgoing DGP.
According to Sangma, taking note of the recent successes against the ultras, by way of arrests and surrenders, the government had sought extension of the tenure of the senior police official to ensure that the momentum is not disrupted.
The government also wanted a smooth transition from the incumbent to his successor so that the efforts of police are further supported by the new chief after due comprehension of the realities at the ground level.
“So is this what the NDA government means by crying hoarse that it cares for the people of Meghalaya and that it will usher in prosperity on a fast track mode,” an angry Chief Minister asked.
Meanwhile, with no communication coming from the Centre on the extension of service of DGP Rajiv Mehta, the State Government on Thursday issued a notification appointing Special DGP (SB/CID), Shillong SK Jain as the acting DGP.
Official sources informed that the State Security Commission would sit shortly to finalize the name of the new DGP of Meghalaya.
Mehta was a 1981 batch IPS officer.