SHILLONG, March 16 - Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad said in the Assembly today that the law-and-order situation in the State is, by and large, peaceful.
In his address on the first day of the Budget Session of the Assembly, the Governor said due to normalising of law and order, all major festivals are being celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety without any untoward incidents.
Prasad also informed the House that the internal security of the State has significantly improved. �The State Police, in collaboration with Central forces, have done a commendable job despite facing constraints of difficult terrain and poor communication infrastructure,� he said.
Over the years, the Governor added, a large number of arrests and surrender of militants and other criminal gangs have taken place together with the recovery of arms and ammunition.
�The Government�s recent approach to enable surrendered cadres of different militant organisations take advantage of government rehabilitation packages and assimilate them in the national mainstream by involving church and community leaders with the aid of the district administration and police have yielded positive results,� he said.
On the inter-State boundary issues, Prasad said the disputed area along the Assam-Meghalaya border is being monitored continuously. He added that efforts are on to solve the differences at the level of the Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries of both the States.
�The district administration and local authorities of both the States have on many occasions actively resolved problems along the inter-State for ensuring peace and order in the area of differences,� the Governor said.
On the issue of influx from Bangladesh, Prasad said that Meghalaya is committed to completing the remaining fencing on the international border at a faster pace by taking the people into confidence to effectively contain the influx of Bangladeshi nationals and trans-border movement and activities of militants and antisocial elements.
Prasad said that special police officers under the provisions of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 have been notified to curb immoral trafficking.
�The Special Superintendent of Police, CID, has been notified as the nodal officer on trafficking of women and children and all Superintendents of Police in the districts have been notified as nodal officers for the purpose in their respective districts,� the Governor added.
Prasad informed the House that anti-human trafficking units have been set up in the districts of East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, West Jaintia Hills and West Garo Hills. He said that the 181 women�s helpline is functional in the State, a track-the-missing-child portal has been implemented and a one-stop crisis centre has been set up at Ganesh Das Hospital, Shillong, for victims of sexual assault.
On the contentious issue of mining, Prasad said that his Government is serious on regulating mining in Meghalaya by introducing a scientific approach to protect the ecology and environment in the interest of the people in accordance with the Central Mine and Mining Regulations.