Centre to blame for arms flow: Meghalaya CM

A day after the Centre warned Meghalaya over the deteriorating law and order situation in Garo Hills, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma Thursday blamed the union government for the free flow of sophisticated weapons to the state.

"The job of the state government is to neutralise militant outfits, but whose job is it to prevent entry of sophisticated weapons? Isn't it the duty of the central government?" Sangma told journalists after chairing the State Security Commission meeting.

"We have to work together to neutralise these activities. Therefore, there is no room for blame game. This (insurgency) is a national problem. There are success and failure in counter-insurgency operations. This is the most challenging time for us," he said.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju Wednesday expressed unhappiness over the law and order situation in Garo Hills, where militants are on a kidnapping and killing spree.

"We are aware of what is happening in Garo Hills. It is apparent that the state government has failed to tackle the rising crimes. The state (government) needs to have a complete view on how to restore normalcy and must act immediately," Rijiju told IANS.

"The internal security reports from Garo Hills are very disturbing to us despite our sanctioning central forces as requested by them (state government). Militant activities are on the rise... coupled with poor maintenance of law and order," he said.

However, Sangma said the state government would overcome the situation.

"We are committed to neutralise the insurgent activities. For the first time, police have dislocated training camps of militants in inaccessible areas," he said.

He said the state has sought additional units of the elite Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) to assist police in combing operations against militants.

Garo Hills, comprising five districts, has nine militant outfits operating there.