SHILLONG, Feb 26 � Newly-appointed Meghalaya Director General of Police Rajiv Mehta today said his priority lies in bringing normalcy to Garo Hills region affected by militancy.
Mehta, addressing the media after charge today, said he would be visiting Garo Hills region in next couple of days and would stay there for some days to assess the law and order situation at the ground level.
�My priority would be in bringing normalcy to Garo Hills region,� Mehta said. The new DGP said there would be no let-down in counter-insurgency operations, but at the same time the police would encourage groups to give up arms.
He further added that the State police would seek more coordination with other security agencies and its own officials in its fight against militants. �There would be greater coordination in our operations against militants,� he said.
Garo Hills has been in turmoil in the past several years. The Government managed to bring the Achik National Volunteers� Council and its breakaway faction under a peace agreement and give up arms.
However, the Garo National Liberation Army and other smaller groups have unleashed a reign of terror through their killings, extortions, kidnapping and other illegal activities in the region.
Meanwhile, Mehta expressed concern on the increase in crime rate against women in Meghalaya. He said the police would focus its energy and resources to arrest this crime.
The new DGP speaking about the recent killing of a police official, PJ Marbaniang in his residential quarters, said he would be meeting officials of the Special Investigation Team soon to inquire about the progress of the investigation.
2 killed in mishap
Aizawl, Feb 26 � Two bikers were killed in an accident in Vairengte town on Mizoram-Assam border on Tuesday, police said.
Police said that the riders were overtaking a truck while another truck was coming from the other side resulting in the accident. The pillion rider was crushed to death by one of the trucks. The other succumbed to his injuries at the Primary Health Centre in Vairengte. � PTI
