SHILLONG, Aug 27: Never before has the entire police force, barring a few who have got personal favours from Assistant Inspector-General (Administration) Gabriel K Iangrai, been as agitated as they are today. Former Director-Generals of Police and others retired officers and even serving constables have expressed their concern at the complete politicisation of the force.
“Never before have we seen so many arbitrary transfers as during the tenure of R Chandranathan. Constables/Sub-Inspectors seeking transfers had to pay between Rs 25,000-30,000 to GK Iangrai depending on the place of posting. During our time, there was proper stock-taking of all vehicles. When special units required vehicles, they were allotted the vehicles but on completion of the mission the vehicles were returned,” said a retired DGP.
He went on to say, “We had outstanding officers, the best of the best as Officers on Special Duty (OSDs). If we are to be hit by militancy at this juncture, we would literally be caught with our pants down. How can an officer who has absolutely no experience in operations and has never been involved in counter-insurgency operations, feigning ill health, now be tasked with leading the premier SF-10 which has excellent and motivated young men who have been handpicked looking at their physical as well as mental acuity? Does the Home Minister think people are fools and will accept this arbitrary posting despite the malfeasance committed by Iangrai? Can the AIG (A) get away with this crime?”
Another retired DGP stated that the AIG (A) has his hands on the police budget which runs into crores of rupees. What has happened in this case is a complete breakdown of the command-and-control structure due to political interference in postings and transfers and in this case perhaps with vehicle purchases.
“The AIG (A) is the staff officer to the DGP. He is the eyes and ears of the DGP in matters of administration. Hence, the DGP is in cahoots in this case. Command and control must be left to the police chief. If he fails in governance and administration, he should be sent packing. But it appears that the political executives have meddled too much. They should know their boundaries and not interfere in day-to-day policing. In this case the government, cabinet, the then police chief all provided cover to Iangrai. They too should be held accountable for that.”
There are allegations that Iangrai has arbitrarily awarded his staff while the field units that actually face all the dangers of policing have been deprived of such rewards. Funds meant for districts were also diverted by Iangrai. Many serving officers are gratified that things are now out in the open and the new DG is cleaning up the rot.
Iangrai is also alleged to have transferred many constables illegally from the unarmed branch (UB) to the armed branch (AB).
But despite being a serial offender, Iangrai was awarded with the Police Antrik Suraksha Seva Padak last year, which is only given for operational duties; this, despite never having done any counter-insurgency operation in his whole policing life. Over and above that, he was also given two DGP commendations.
All the above was enough to demoralise the rank and file of the police force and if the system is allowed to continue this way, then Meghalaya Police would have been compromised.
All in the Police establishment, officers and men, serving and retired, know the nexus between the leading vehicle vendor, the former DGP, and Iangrai. They believe that the former Home Minister James PK Sangma is also in the loop. They feel that this angle too needs further investigation.
As far as Iangrai’s case is concerned, they are of the opinion that since the departmental enquiry has found him guilty, he should be booked under Section 409 IPC, which reads – Criminal breach of trust by a public servant. Whoever being in any manner entrusted with property, or with any dominion over property in his capacity of a public servant, commits criminal breach of trust in respect of property shall be punished with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine.
