Shillong: Leader of Opposition in Meghalaya Assembly, Dr. Mukul Sangma on Friday hit out at the State government over the frequent transfer and posting of police officers which has led to serious intelligence failure in the state.
“How many postings and transfers of police officials ranging from the lower rank up to Superintendent of Police in the last three years?,” Sangma asked, while referring to the frequent transfer of police officials, be it in East Jaintia Hills district or West Jaintia Hills district or East Khasi Hills district or Ri Bhoi district.
“How do you expect the organization to be focused on these types of challenges when officers are transferred and posted without taking into consideration all these multifaceted roles, the challenging situation the police organization is confronted with while fulfilling their responsibility,” he said.
The Leader of Opposition was reacting to the recent IED explosion at Khliehriat police reserve in East Jaintia Hills district. The outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNCL) had claimed responsibility for the explosion.
“Is the transfer and posting were in the interest of the state or for something else, to get something done or to facilitate other things,” he further asked.
Pointing out that transfer of police officers should be carried out as per the Meghalaya Police Act, 2010, the Leader of Opposition said, “There are various rules to be followed by the Police Headquarters in dealing with the transferring and postings based on various aspects and parameters which has to be done with meticulous due diligence and putting the right people in the right place as police organizations have multi faceted roles.”
Criticising Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for delaying to convene the meeting of the State Security Commission, the veteran Congress legislator said, “I don’t remember when was the last time we had the SSC meeting. This reflects the complete lack of concern of the Chief Minister about the magnitude of the responsibility vested on the police organisation.”
He further said that the police organisation cannot be used as a pawn by the people in power.
Sangma said this was precisely what has been raised by the opposition on numerous counts both inside and outside the Assembly.
He further asked the Chief Minister to study the Meghalaya Police Act, 2010 thoroughly to understand the magnitude and responsibility vested upon the police organization.
“Now, this is not there, this is not happening – that is why I will put this way that it is the failure of the government because the kind of support that they have to give to the police organization is missing for the best reason known to them. It doesn’t augur well for the state,” he said.
“The government should come clear on the reason for the frequent transfer and posting of officers particularly in these areas – East Jaintia Hills district, West Jaintia Hills district and East Khasi Hills district and Ri Bhoi district,” the Leader of Opposition said.
Sangma also recalled the transfer of the then East Khasi Hills SP Davies R Marak.
“If you see the background of his transfer, the Superintendent of Police (Davies Marak ) has written to the higher ups indicating his concern on the transfer of one of the officers who was vested with the responsibility of investigating a high profile case in Laitumkhrah and immediately he was transferred while James K Sangma was minister in-charge. So this is the helm of affairs which is not in accordance with the spirit of good governance. This is a complete misuse of government machinery,” he said.
