Meghalaya cops in New Delhi without food: report

Shillong, Oct 29 (UNI) Meghalaya Director General of Police Bijon K Dey Sawain today rushed to New Delhi to see the living condition of his force there.

Mr Sawain airdashed to the national capital following a directive from the higher authorities after reports of "ill treatment" meted out by about 500 personnel of the 3rd battalion of Meghalaya Police.

The reports said the jawans were not provided adequate accommodation and proper food. " They have no proper place to sleep.

We sleep on the verandah and terrace of the police station. Three to four persons have to share one bed," a police official here said.

The 3rd MLP Battalion falls under the India Reserve Police Battalion (IRBn) and is now deployed in New Delhi replacing Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary.

Meanwhile, the state government has decided against dispatching six companies of Meghalaya Police's 4th battalion to Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, which are headed for polls.

Deputy Chief Minister, in-charge Home, HS Lyngdoh told reporters here that the state could ill-afford to depute anymore police personnel from Meghalaya as the state has only "five battalions." Deputation of more police personnel from the state would affect the state machinery in tackling law and order situation in the state, he added.

The personnel of 4th battalion are now deployed in maintaining law and order in the state, especially in coal belt areas of West Khasi Hills district, bordering Bangladesh. "If the personnel are withdrawn, law and order situation may deteriorate in the militant-dominated coal belt areas," the Deputy Chief Minister stated.

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