Militancy at its lowest, says State DGP
Director General of Police (DGP) Dr LR Bishnoi has stated that the law and order situation in the state is more or less peaceful.
“It is under control and we are getting full cooperation from the people,” Dr Bishnoi told reporters after a meeting at the police headquarters.
He said in the districts, most of the crimes are not directly linked to the law and order.
“Fortunately, militancy is also at its lowest level and whatever remnant groups are there, they are in the peace process they are talking to the central interlocutors also,” Dr Bishnoi said while adding “Not much problem as of today but future challenges will remain and for that we are trying to strengthen our law and order branch so that they can deal with the situation immediately.”
The Meghalaya High Court was not happy with the performance of the state police especially in regards to the illegal transportation of coal, the DGP said, “We are going as per the high court orders wherever the mistakes are pointed out we are trying to plug the loopholes but again you know the area is so much and the police strength is not proportionately adequate to dominate each and every inch of the land of the state so sometimes you know through the jungle route some may indulge in the transportation of illegal coal etc for that also we are trying to dominate it by the patrolling.”
“So by and large it is under control now and whatever the direction from the court or government given to the police department we will definitely try to follow those,” he added.
Two PDF legislators likely to merge with NPP
The two legislators of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) are likely to merge with the National People’s Party (NPP) ahead of the adjourned poll to the Sohiong Assembly seat.
PDF working president and Mawkynrew legislator Banteidor Lyngdoh did not deny the rumour and said that they will discuss the issue at the right time and that there is nothing to write about.
He however admitted that talks are there to merge with the NPP. “Talks are there to merge with the NPP and we will take a call at the right time and let you know,” Lyngdoh said.
The PDF has two MLAs – Lyngdoh and PDF president Gavin M Mylliem, who is also Sohra legislator – in the current 59-member House.
Lyngdoh said he cannot say anything further as decisions will not be taken by him alone.
Meanwhile, two legislators of the Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) – Shakliar Warjri (Mawthadraishan) and Methodius Dkhar (Mawshynrut) – have completely denied that there is any move to merge with the ruling NPP.
“There is no such move to merge with the NPP,” Shakliar maintained.
VPP presses home demand for special session of Assembly
The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has sought Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s intervention in convening the special session of the State Assembly to allow members to discuss and debate on the need to review the state reservation policy.
In a letter submitted to Sangma, VPP general secretary Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon said, “We request you as the Head of the Government to take initiative in convening a special session of the State Assembly in order to allow members to discuss and debate on the need to review the present reservation policy.”
He said the vexed and pertinent issue on the roster system and the state job reservation policy that is indeed a serious and grave matter of concern across the state that warrants a serious debate, discussion and resolution.
Furthermore, Dr Syngkon said that the Bench of the High Court in its order on PIL dated April 3, has categorically stated, “These are policy matters that are best left to the legislature and the executive and upon a firm stand being taken, it will be open to any citizen affected thereby to question the propriety thereof in accordance with the law.”
No policy to regularise contractual employees: Mondal
Staff Reporter
Shillong, April 6: Minister in charge of Power Abu Taher Mondal stated that there is no policy to regularize the services of the contractual employees in Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).
“(There is) no policy as such to regularize. Whenever required as such, MeECL goes for advertisement and appointments are given on that basis,” Mondal told the reporters.
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He added that “the one who works under different categories, it is not that they will be taken like that they will have to go for proper employment policy”.
It may be mentioned here that the MeECL Progressive Workers’ Union (MePWU) has been calling for a series of agitations demanding the MeECL management to frame a policy for the regularization of long-standing casual workers.