SHILLONG, Nov 2 � Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today held a high level meeting with senior officials here to review the law and order situation in Garo Hills.
After the meeting, Home minister HDR Lyngdoh said the situation in Garo Hills was under control despite the recent attacks by militants. He added that the ongoing operations against the GNLA would not ease, but would be intensified.
Apart from the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary WMS Pariat, Principal Secretary Home KS Kropha and Director General of Police N Ramachandran attended the high-level meeting.
The review meeting was held following the killing of four policemen and a civilian at Nengpatchi area of East Garo Hills district on Monday by the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) rebels. Two policemen were also injured in the attack.
Meghalaya�s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos, two units of Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), and five companies of Border Security Force are conducting a counter-insurgency operation in Garo Hills, especially targeting the GNLA.
It was also decided that the ex-gratia payment to next of kin of policemen killed in counter-insurgency operations in the State would be increased from the existing Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh.
�The government has enhanced the ex-gratia payment from the existing Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7.50 lakh,� the DGP said.
He added that widows of slain police personnel killed in counter-insurgency operations would get the salaries, including increments and pension benefits till the date of retirement. This decision was taken to boost the morale of the police personnel.
