Mukul slams MDA Govt over IED blast at Khliehriat Police Reserve

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 16, 2021

Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has slammed the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government for allegedly resorting to frequent transfer and posting of police officers which has led to serious intelligence failure in the state.

This came after the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) had planted an IED blast at the police reserve, Khliehriat in East Jaintia Hills District.

“…in the last three years if you find out how many postings and transfers are taking place in those parts of the state whether it is in East Jaintia Hills, whether it is in West Jaintia Hills or whether it is in East Khasi Hills or Ri Bhoi starting from SP till other officers. How do you expect the organization to be focused on these types of challenges when officers are transferred and posted without taking into consideration all these multifaceted roles, the challenging situation the police organization is confronted with while fulfilling their responsibility,” Sangma said.

He also asked if the transfer and posting were in the interest of the state or for something else, to get something done or to facilitate other things.

Sangma said such exercise has to be done  according to the Meghalaya Police Act, 2010. There are various rules to be followed by the Police Headquarters in dealing with the transferring and postings based on various aspects and parameters which has to be done with meticulous due diligence and putting the right people in the right place as police organizations have multi faceted roles.

The leader of opposition also criticized the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for delaying to convene the meeting of the State Security Commission.

“I don’t remember when was the last time we had the SSC meeting. This reflects the complete lack of concern of the CM about the magnitude of the responsibility vested on the police organization,” he said.

Stating that the police organization cannot be used as a pawn by the people in power, by the political bosses, Sangma said this was precisely what has been raised by the opposition on numerous counts both inside and outside the Assembly.

“You should be asking this question to the Chief Minister that is it a failure of intelligence or whatever? What has he done to see that the police organization is given the kind of direction, guidance, and what is the purpose of the state security commission. There is a purpose,” he said.

The leader of opposition further asked the Chief Minister to study the Meghalaya Police Act, 2010 thoroughly to understand the magnitude and responsibility vested upon the police organization.

“Now, this is not there, this is not happening – that is why I will put this way that it is the failure of the government because the kind of support that they have to give to the police organization is missing for the best reason known to them. It doesn’t augur well for the state,” he said.

According to him, the government should come clear on the reason for the frequent transfer and posting of officers particularly in these areas – East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi.

Sangma also recalled the transfer of the then East Khasi Hills SP Davis R Marak.

“If you see the background of his transfer, the SP concerned has written to the higher ups indicating his concern on the transfer of one of the officers who was vested with the responsibility of investigating a high profile case in Laitumkhrah and immediately he was transferred while James K Sangma was minister in-charge. So this is the helm of affairs which is not in accordance with the spirit of good governance. This is a complete misuse of government machinery,” he said.

“When you are misusing while the political bosses want to misuse their position and power to misuse the organization, the institution at the cost of the state then this is something which happens. You will have many more challenges which will take us by surprise, many more issues which remain completely unattended,” he further stated.