By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 3: The Jaintia Students’ Union on Monday called on Meghalaya DGP Idashisha Nongrang and accentuated the need to bolster the border police outposts in Meghalaya.
In a memorandum, which was submitted to the DGP, the JSU sought that all border police outposts in Meghalaya, particularly in Jaintia Hills, be strengthened.
“There have been incidents of harassment and killings of our people by residents from Assam living along the Jaintia Hills border,” the JSU said.
The Union reminded the DGP that the government had planned in November 2022 to establish border police outposts in seven sensitive locations, viz. Mukroh and Tihwieh in West Jaintia Hills, Mooriap in East Jaintia Hills, Rani-Jirang in Ri-Bhoi district, and Umwali, Lejadubi and Langpih in West Khasi Hills.
Asking the DGP to ensure the improvement of infrastructure at these outposts, especially at Mukroh and Khanduli villages, the JSU rued that the current conditions at the outposts are inadequate, with some outposts covered only with tin sheets, putting the lives of the police security guards at risk.
The JSU also expressed its gratitude to the newly appointed DGP for her decision to conduct the physical test in Jaintia Hills at Sahbsein 3rd Battalion, saying that the move eliminates the need for applicants to travel to Shillong, which is already congested and provides more convenience with the conduct of the test in other district centers as well.
The JSU also conveyed the grievances of the state’s aspiring youths, who are applying for the vacant posts in the Police department, and requested that the age limit be extended from 18-26 years to 30 years.
The JSU highlighted that the current age limit of 18-26 years is insufficient, particularly in rural areas where individuals often complete their board exams by the age of 21.
Meanwhile, the DGP has agreed to bring this proposal to the attention of the state government.
The union further drew the DGP’s attention to the emergence of numerous illegal toll gates across various routes, lamenting that the same has affected local farmers and the transport sector.
The JSU alleged that groups of individuals have been extorting money from trucks and carriers transporting local produce and goods, both edible and non-edible items, including agricultural and non-agricultural products such as broomsticks, boulder stones, dry betel nut, and betel leaves.
It said such unlawful activities have several detrimental effects such as increased costs, inflated prices, economic strain and others.
