Mooshahary sworn in as Meghalaya Governor

Shillong, July 01 (UNI) Former Director General of Border Security Force Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary was today sworn in as Governor of Meghalaya.

He was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court Jasti Chelameswar at a simple function in Raj Bhawan.

The swearing-in was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Hoping Stone Lyngdoh and Timothy D Shira, Cabinet Ministers, GOC of 101 Area KS Sethi, Officer Commanding-in-Chief Air Marshal SK Bhan and other senior government officials.

Mr Mooshahary succeeded Shivinder Singh Sidhu, who held the post as an acting Governor ever since Banwari Lal Joshi was transferred to Uttarkhand last year.

The 62-year-old Mr Mooshahary was appointed Governor of Meghalaya by President Pratibha Patil on June 26.

Mr Mooshahary was the first tribal Bodo from North East, Assam in particular, to be posted as Director General of Police in Central government establishments, including the elite National Security Guard and Border Security Force.

Soon after assuming charge, the former top-cop said, '' I believe it is an opportunity not given to many that I have been given now to serve the people. '' Born on March 01 1946 in the remote Odlaguri village of Kokrajhar district of Assam, Mr Mooshahary graduated from St Anthony's College with honours in political science.

He was the first matriculate and the first graduate in his village and joined the Indian Police Service at the age of 21.

Under his leadership, the National Security Guards had grown into an elite contingency force.

Mr Mooshahary also served in the CRPF, besides the state police forces of Assam, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan and has done a commendable job in combating terrorism, besides guarding the borders, besides serving in the Cabinet Secretariat and served in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan.

Mr Mooshahary took voluntarily retirement on February 27, 2006 as Director General of Border Security Force.

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