Meghalaya seeks for more central forces to fight militants

The Meghalaya government has sought more central forces to fight militants in the insurgency-hit districts of Garo Hills, Home Minister Roshan Warjri said on Wednesday.

She said the prevailing law and order situation in Garo Hills does not warrant to impose the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in that area since police were making all effort to tackle the militancy situation.

"The situation in Garo Hills does not warrant for imposition of AFSPA. Our police are putting in all efforts to fight militancy, despite a lot of constraints," Warjri said.

The minister, however, felt that the central government should sanction additional central forces to assist police in the ongoing combing operations against various militant outfits.

"We have repeatedly been writing to the Centre to provide additional central armed police forces, besides financial assistance for upgrade of police stations and enhancement of manpower by raising two more Indian Reserve battalions besides sanctioning funds to Special Force-10 to deal with internal security challenges," Warjri said.

Garo Hills comprises of five districts in western part of Meghalaya.