Opposition leader Mukul Sangma has slammed the Meghalaya government over ‘delay’ in declaration of results of various recruitments, while cautioning that a precarious situation might arise with unemployed youths moving around with arms in parts of both Khasi and Garo Hills. Taking part in the debate on the Governor’s address, Sangma said the results of various recruitments are to be declared on a daily basis, as mandated by the Meghalaya Police Act 2010, “but the government is not adhering to the law”. Expressing concern over unnecessary delays in announcing the results, Sangma said the deprivation of youths from being recruited in the Meghalaya Police was unacceptable. “Many FIRs are not even being investigated owing to shortage of manpower in the police, and officers often lament the huge vacancies in both the armed and unarmed branches of the force,” he said.
He further lamented that the replies given by the government reflected the deficiencies in the Police Department. “For whose interest are these vacancies not being filled up? This seems to be malefice predetermined intent to withhold the quantum of funds, which could have gone into the payment of salary if appointments were made,” he said. Disagreeing with the claims of the government that Meghalaya is peaceful, he said that a kind of situation is being created in West Garo Hills where some forces are creating tension between the communities. “We also don’t have enough manpower to handle problems along the border with Assam,” he said, recalling that the previous government restored peace in the Garo Hills after SF-10 was created. Indicating that the lack of job opportunities was driving the youth to armed movement, he said the issue must be nipped in the bud.
