Shillong: In an attempt to improve internal security in Meghalaya, the state cabinet yesterday approved fast tracking the creation of a Special Multi-Task Force (SMTF) or Special Force-10, a ten-company strength force, aimed at counter insurgency operations,maintaining law and order problems and open up job avenues for the educated unemployed youth.
“We wanted to fast track the proposal for coming up with a Special Multi-Task Force, design not only to cater to the need or demand of the given situation (internal security) but we are also going to create employment opportunities for our youth,” Chief Minister Mukul Sangma told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
The SF-10 will have 10 companies with a man power of 1795, of which one company will be reserved for women cadres, he said, adding that the recruitment process will begin immediately as and when the notification is issued by the concerned department.
“The SF-10 will attend to various challenging responsibility of the police particularly with a special focus in dealing with counter insurgency operations and in maintaining law and order challenges under given circumstances,” the chief minister stated.
“But the problem is that these forces are withdrawn based on some urgency and emergencies which come often in managing the forces in respect of the whole country in as far as paramilitary forces are concerned,” he added.
Referring to recent activities of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) in parts of West Khasi Hills region, Mukul said, “The state needs to invest adequately for taking care of the internal security apparatus by re-strategizing our approach and provide the kind of the security for the people.”
“After discussion with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), we have submitted a proposal for strengthening the existing police stations proposing that each police stations should have two categories of police force - one is having a strength of 80 force and other will have a strength of 40 force in order to be capable of responding to a given situation,” Sangma said.
