SHILLONG: At a time when there is a hue and cry over the spillover effect of NRC update in Assam, shortage of manpower is plaguing the infiltration branch of the Meghalaya police.
An official source on Sunday admitted that there is shortage of staff in the branch.
The source added that though the current sanctioned posts for the infiltration branch are 345, not all the posts were filled up.
“We are looking at a strength of 500-600 personnel to strengthen the branch,” the source added.
There is limited staff strength to man both the international border with Bangladesh (423 km) and inter-state border with Assam (566 km).
There will be further delay in setting up more infiltration check gates due to shortage of staff.
Currently, there are only seven infiltration check gates in the state.
The state government may wait for the creation of entry-exit points before increasing the number of infiltration check gates.
While 18 entry and exit points were proposed in eastern range (Khasi-Jaintia Hills and Ri Bhoi), 23 were for western range (Garo Hills).
Defunct Anti-Infiltration Directorate
It was in September 2011 that former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had announced the creation of Anti-Infiltration Directorate under the Home Department. Later, the directorate started functioning in 2013.
However, an official informed that the directorate is not fully functional.
“Till the entry and exit points are set up, we cannot call it as fully functional,” the official added.
There was an attempt by the previous government to identify land for the building of the Anti-Infiltration Directorate but in vain.
