AMPATI, July 7 � Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today inaugurated the Ampati Police Station building with the promise of creating 36 new police stations in the State to improve law and order as well as fight militancy.
The 36 new police stations would be set up across the State with enhanced infrastructure. �Identification of place for setting up of new police stations is being done at the government level. This is to ensure effective police administration in Meghalaya�, said Sangma, while inaugurating the newly-constructed Ampati police station in South West Garo Hills district.
Conceding that there was shortage of police manpower to deal with regular crimes, militancy and investigation, he said the government decided to create the new infrastructure taking into consideration the present scenario.
The CM dedicated the new Police Station to the people, saying �The Police organisation is associated with everyone�s life. They protect our rights with the rule of law and provide security. Police-public relations is very important for effective delivery of the system�, he said.
Urging the people to abstain from crime and other anti-social activities, he said, �Laws are outcome of the commandment of God. Progressive and civilised societies live with the rule of law�.
�Police system needs to be strengthened, so that timely investigation can be completed and judiciary can pronounce conviction. This will remind the people of the existence of law�, said Sangma. He felt the people had lost faith in the police and the judiciary due to the delay in justice and fair trials.
The region has been groping with lawlessness as a major part of the police force is being engaged in counter-insurgency operations and the others in maintaining law and order. Case-based investigations have dwindled leading to a rise in crimes in the region.
The district faces the additional problem of being close to the border of Bangladesh. Militants have been using the district as a safe haven to transit between the two countries.
There have been several kidnappings for ransom, which have gone unreported. In the last two months, at least eight kidnappings has taken place in the district. In five districts of Garo Hills, more than 30 kidnappings have taken place in the last two months.
