The Meghalaya government today said that the rising militant activities and low police-population-area ratio is posing a 'big challenge' in the state.
"We recognise that there is a need to improve our police-population ratio and to strengthen the police network so that the problem (militancy) can be nipped at the initial stage," Home Minister H D R Lyngdoh said in reply to a cut motion moved by opposition member from NCP J M Marak in the assembly.
"Since January 2010, the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) had killed 25 civilians and 10 police personnel besides injuring three civilians," Lyngdoh said.
During the same period, 31 militants were killed, 156 militants arrested, 65 surrendered and 93 arms recovered, he said.
"The 433-km international border with Bangladesh poses serious problems such as influx and existence of bases of some of NE militant organisation in Bangladesh," Lyngdoh said, adding that his government is "committed to complete fencing along the border at a past pace."
On influx, the Home Minister stated that 2800 foreign nationals were detected in 2011, of which 156 were prosecuted and 2644 were pushed back directly.
The Home Minister, however, noted that the law and order situation in the state has remained "stable" in spite of the challenges. He said that the Centre accorded sanction of Rs 50 crore from the 13th Finance Commission for the setting up of Meghalaya Police Academy and aimed at developing it as a centre of excellence in police training.
Meghalaya has 13,394 police personnel which works out to 110 policemen for a population of one lakh and one police covering an area of 6.83 square kilometer, Lyngdoh said.
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