Meghalaya not to dispatch police personnel

Shillong, Oct 28: The Meghalaya government has decided not to dispatch six companies of the state police (4th battalion) to poll-bound states of Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

''Meghalaya cannot afford to deploy our police personnel outside the state as it has only five battalions,'' Deputy Chief Minister for Home Affairs H S Lyngdoh told mediapersons here today.

In fact, the Union Home Ministry has drawn 500 personnel from the 3rd battalion of Meghalaya Police to the national capital for assisting Delhi Police in guarding the VVIP areas and vital installations, he said.

Mr Lyngdoh said further deputation of the police personnel from the state would surely affect the state machinery in handling the law and order situation.

Presently, the personnel of 4th battalion are deployed in maintaining law and order 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''If the personnel are withdrawn, law and order situation may deteriorate in the militant-dominated coal belt areas,'' the Deputy Chief Minister said.

UNI