SHILLONG, Feb 14: Assam’s Special Director-General of Police (DGP), Lajja Ram Bishnoi appears to be the frontrunner for the post of DGP, Meghalaya.
An official source on Monday confirmed to The Shillong Times that there is strong lobbying from one of the former DGPs of Meghalaya for the appointment of Bishnoi, who is a 1991 batch IPS officer.
As per seniority basis, Special DGP of Assam Police, Mukesh Agarwal (1989 batch) should be appointed as the DGP but the state government is free to appoint any one from the three empanelled in the list that was forwarded to the state government by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Friday, the source added.
Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said the names of the officers were proposed by the UPSC based on seniority, availability of individuals and their readiness to take up the assignment. “Based on this, the top three names in the seniority list were sent to the state government. We will take a decision on the new DGP after following all necessary procedures,” Sangma said on Monday.
Most police officials in the state want Special DGP, Idashisha Nongrang to don the DGP’s mantle but the CM said the state government is tied by the procedures of the Government of India that are followed throughout the country.
“There is a limited scope for the state government to bypass the UPSC’s empanelled list. We may want or the state may desire but these procedures are tricky, complicated and strict. There is less room for the state government to bend the rules. At the end of the day, we have to follow the prescribed procedures,” the CM added.
The UPSC shortlisted the names of Bishnoi, Agarwal and KV Singh Deo, who is a 1989 batch IPS officer. Earlier, the state government had shortlisted the names of five IPS officers. Besides Agarwal, Deo, Bishnoi, the government’s list had the names of Nongrang and SN Singh.
Except for Nongrang (1992 batch), the others are serving in Assam. Nongrang is the junior-most officer, who was recently promoted as Special DGP, Meghalaya.