Tackling militancy: State policy changes to surrender of cadres

Governor appreciates Govt initiatives

SHILLONG: There has been a shift in the government’s approach to ending militancy in the state. Unlike in the past when there would be repeated appeals to militants for talks, the government is focusing on facilitating the rebels to surrender.
This was appreciated by Meghalaya Governor Banwarilal Purohit during his address in the Assembly on Friday.
“The government’s recent approach to facilitate surrendered cadres to take advantage of the rehabilitation package and to assimilate into the national mainstream involving the Church and community leaders with the aid of district administration and police has been very successful,” the Governor said.
Besides, the Governor said a strategy of sustained operations coupled with active support of the general public has been adopted.
“Civic action programmes have been launched on a massive scale in remote villages to bring the common people closer to the police. As a result many militant cadres were neutralised. Huge cache of weapons and ammunitions were seized and a large number of militants have surrendered,” he said.
The most significant event in 2016 was the surrender of 117 militants from various insurgent outfits, the Governor said, adding that another significant event is the disbanding of one insurgent outfit (UALA) in June 2016 in Tura.
“My government has created an enabling environment to facilitate surrendering of the cadres of various insurgent outfits and (help in) assimilating themselves into the national mainstream which is yielding positive results,” he added.
Internal security
As far as maintaining internal security apparatus is concerned, the Governor said the government has taken a number of measures to ensure safe and secure environment for the overall growth in the state.
With different interventions from the state government, the internal security situation is by and large peaceful.
Despite certain challenges in      maintaining law and order, the state is seeing very positive results, he said.
According to the Governor, police personnel have been augmented and posted in the interior areas of the state to instill confidence among locals and check movements and activities of militant groups.
For public convenience and better administration, 18 police stations are being created, he said, adding that Salmanpara police station in South West Garo Hills district and Mawngap police outpost in East Khasi Hills were upgraded to full-fledged police stations.
“Soon, the remaining new police stations will be created and dedicated to our people. The Special Force-I0, consisting of Meghalaya Police commandos, has been inducted for anti-militancy operations in the State,” he said.
Border issues
As far as the border issue is concerned, the Governor said the government is committed to completing fencing at a fast pace.
“The situation on the international border with Bangladesh remained peaceful. The situation on the inter-State border with Assam, especially in Block-I and Block-II areas, also remained peaceful. Disputed pockets along the Assam-Meghalaya border are being continuously monitored,” he said.
Purohit said efforts are on to solve the boundary dispute with Assam at the level of the chief ministers and chief secretaries of both the states by way of a permanent solution.
He added that comprehensive measures to tackle illegal immigration and influx are being put in place.
Separation of judiciary
The Governor said the separation of judiciary from the executive in six districts is complete and the government has taken steps for delinking judiciary in the remaining five districts.
On February 24, the temporary Court of the District and Sessions Judge at Ampati was inaugurated.
Separation at Resubelpara, Baghmara, Mawkyrwat and Khliehriat will take place shortly he said and added that all requisite infrastructure for separation of judiciary is being provided by way of construction of new judiciary buildings in all the districts.