Shillong:The state government today announced the upgradation of Shahlang police out post in West Khasi Hills district to a full fledged police station in the wake of Garo National Liberation Army’s (GNLA) illegal activities in the area.
Announcing this, Home Minister H D R Lyngdoh told PTI, “The upgradation of a police outpost at Shahlang is to contain law and order situation in the area.”
The Minister, who returned from a two day visit to the coal belt in West Khasi Hills district, said the visit was to see that anti-national elements do not create law and order problems.
Residents of villages in and around Shahlang, 170 kilometers from here, have expressed concern on the presence of the GNLA cadre in the the coal mines.
“We have directed the police to intensively intensify their operations besides intensifying patrolling in the areas to protect the coal traders and the people as well as to infuse the confidence of the people”.
The government is all set to strengthen its police force by creation of more police stations, upgrading the existing outposts and beat houses, he said.
Lyngdoh said his visit is also part of a confidence -building measure and to bridge the gap between civilians and the police in the militant infected areas.
The actual strength of police force in the district consists of 116 unarmed constables and 107 armed branch constables manning four police stations, six police outposts, two police checkposts and an anti-dacoity camp. (PTI)
