Govt takes pre-emptive moves against newly formed UPFKL

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 21: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said the government has increased manpower along the inter-state border following the alleged formation of a new militant group called United People’s Front of Karbi Longri (UPFKL).

Replying to a call attention moved by UDP MLA from Mokaiaw Nujorki Sungoh, Sangma said though reports are coming in but there is no specific intel or specific complaints by any of the people that they have received extortion notes (served by the UPKFL)

“(However), based on newspaper clippings on the formation of the new militant outfit, we have increased our manpower in the border areas,” he said.

He said that a letter had also come to the government from the Jaintia Students Movement (JSM) on the matter based on which actions have been taken adding that the government, the police and the district administration are working tirelessly to ensure peace prevail in the border areas.

Sangma said that the concerns expressed by the members are very important. The history of Block I and II is aware that for administrative convenience the transfer of Block I and II was done. This is very much available with the Government of Meghalaya, the Government of Assam and the Government of India.

“Keeping all these in mind, we have started engaging with the Government of Assam and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC). I will refrain to go into the discussion and how we are moving forward. For the first time never we have seen this kind of efforts taken by the Government of Assam and Government of Meghalaya (to resolve the issue of boundary dispute),” he said.

Informing that the two States will be meeting in the first or second week of October for another round of talks, the chief minister said, “There will be a special focus given to Khanduli, Psiar, Block I and Block II keeping in mind the slight tension prevailing out there.”

On Sungoh’s request for the construction of the road from the Khatkhasla and Mojem area, Sangma said, “I have spoken to the deputy chief minister who informed that the detailed project report (DPR) is in the preparation stage. So action has been taken. But if any portion of the road comes under the disputed areas, some complications could come up.”

With regard to the request for setting up of a primary health centre at Psiar and Moolber, Sangma said these are areas which fall under the areas of difference but the government will ensure that the people don’t suffer.

He said that even previous governments have also tried to focus on this matter to ensure development activities do not stop.

“We are trying to find out a solution in the long run to this and we are aware of the difficulties that are there in the area and many projects are being taken up,” Sangma said while assuring to examine all proposals given by the MLA.

“Regarding the new militant outfit, official complaints have not come to us in the form of FIRs. Intelligence reports have also not come to us and we are relying on newspaper clippings (about the arrest of two members of the militant group). But we don’t take anything lightly. We are taking things seriously to ensure protection required is given to our people,” the chief minister assured regarding the new outfit, officials’ complaints have not come to us in the form of FIR. intelligence reports have not come to us we are relying on the newspaper – two arrested – but we don’t take anything lightly we are taking things seriously to ensure the protection required is given to our people.

Earlier, Sungoh had alleged that the intention of the new militant group was to create fear among the Khasi-Pnar people living in teh disputed Block I on the border between West Jaintia Hills and West Karbi Anglong specifically in the Elaa Labang-Nongphyllut-Pangam Raliang area.

State facing shortage of medicines

The District Medical & Health Officer of East Khasi Hills Dr A Lyngdoh has admitted that there is shortage of medicines at present due to a transition of procurement of drugs in the state.

This was stated in an action taken report in connection with the treatment of typhoid fever cases at Shella PHC and Ichamati CHC sent to the HYC general secretary Roykupar Synrem here.

This came after the HYC had written to the DM&HO for providing adequate medicines in the two health centres for the treatment of typhoid fever and to conduct investigation into the causes of such disease.

“There is a shortage of medicines at present since there is a transition of procurement of drugs from the state to the newly constituted corporation viz Meghalayan Medical Drugs & Services Limited (MMDSL). We are hereby submitting to the DHS (MI)/MMDSL the list of drugs that are required to combat the current crisis,” Dr Lyngdoh said in the action taken report.

She also informed that a team from the IDSP cell will be visiting Shella on April 28, to conduct an investigation for verification of the cases and identifying the source of illness.

A letter has been issued to all facilities including Shella & Ichamati to conduct awareness programmes on the symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention of the diseases, Dr Lyngdoh added.

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.