Security panel on job to select new State DGP

SHILLONG: The State government has started the process of selecting a new director general of police.
Speaking to media persons after a meeting of the State Security Commission (SSC) on Wednesday, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said the meeting looked at inputs pertaining to the names to be made available before the SSC to zero in on a regular DGP from the panel of names.
The Commission has also asked the Home (Police) department to take up the matter with eligible IPS officers and find out whether they are willing to serve a full term since there were instances in the past when officers had declined to join the post.
The post of DGP in the State has been lying vacant for the past two months following the retirement of former DGP Rajiv Mehta on June 30. Since then, S.K. Jain has been  officiating as acting DGP.
According to Sangma, the SSC also decided that in the first instance, all the available officers who qualify for the post as per the norms of the State Police Act will be given the opportunity to indicate their willingness to serve the post for its full term.
Meanwhile, the SSC also reviewed various issues pertaining to internal security apparatus of the State, including law and order, and the Police department’s response.
The meeting was also attended by Home Minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh, Chief Secretary K.S. Kropha, acting DGP S.K. Jain and other senior officials from the Police department.