SHILLONG, March 20: As many as ten companies of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will be deployed in the state within four weeks to stop the menace of illegal coal mining and transportation in the state.
During the hearing on the matter on Monday, the full bench of the High Court of Meghalaya observed that pursuant to the previous order of March 13, Assistant Solicitor-General of India Dr Nitesh Mozika submitted that the logistics to be prepared for the deployment of 10 companies of CISF would take at least four weeks.
Dr Mozika pointed out that CISF will be proceeding on the basis that the deployment would be necessary for at least two to three years before the state augments its human resources to take over the task.
“Since selection of personnel, arrangement of even temporary accommodation and the like may require some time, it is hoped that a disciplined force as the CISF indicates within a fortnight from date as to how deployment on the ground can be ensured within four weeks from today,” the full bench of the High Court said.
According to the Court, since the state had indicated plans to construct or otherwise provide for accommodation for CAPF personnel, the state should cooperate in the process and provide basic accommodation to the CISF personnel, including the commandants of the companies. “CISF should identify or engage one or more persons to be in charge by rotation. Such personnel should obtain an appointment with Justice BP Katakey and, in the presence of representatives of the state, work out the places and modalities for ultimately deploying the 10 companies,” the Court added.
The matter would appear three weeks hence for the CISF to indicate its readiness for deployment in the state.
“In the meantime, since directions have been issued in other matters to augment the number of weighbridges in the state, the state government is requested to ensure that the 23 proposed weighbridges are in place and additional efforts be immediately made to install a larger number of weighbridges at strategic points upon consultation with the appropriate CISF personnel and under the guidance of Justice Katakey,” the order said.
