Meghalaya is short of some 1,800 police personnel in the lower ranks and this is hurting the authorities’ efforts to curb illegal coal mining and other acts falling foul of the law, Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said today.
There has been increasing criticism over the state government’s apparent lack of action or inability to curb illegal mining.
Responding to this, Rymbui rather lamely suggested that having more police would help the situation, even though many allegations revolving around illegal coal claim police and politicians as being in collusion with the perpetrators.
The vacancies of 1,800 are for the ranks of Sub-Inspector and below. “As you know, the MPSC (Meghalaya Public Service Commission) is in the process of recruitment of officers. With the current shortage it is not possible for the police to do everything,” the minister said.
The Home Department has advertised for 900 posts, for which exams are ongoing, while another 848 posts will be advertised for shortly.
Despite the challenges, Rymbui said that the police have done a very good job.
Meanwhile, asked about reports of a nexus between illegal coal mining and militancy, he said that he could not rule it out but he has received no report on such a situation.
