Force reduced from 1,794 to 901 personnel; over 5,400 VVIPs and VIPs visited Meghalaya
Shillong, August 28: Leader of the Opposition Dr. Mukul Sangma questioned the reduction in the strength of Meghalaya’s Special Force-10 (SF-10) and the deployment of its trained commandos in other police units, prompting Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong to assure the Assembly that the force’s mandate and operational capabilities remained intact.
Moving a cut motion during the Assembly’s Autumn Session on Friday, Sangma expressed concern that deploying specially trained personnel for routine policing could undermine the purpose for which SF-10 was established.
He said the force was conceived as Meghalaya’s own commando unit to tackle militancy and serious law-and-order challenges, thereby reducing the State’s dependence on Central forces such as CoBRA.
Sangma questioned the transfer of commandos to the District Executive Force (DEF) and other police assignments, arguing that personnel who had undergone specialised training should be allowed to focus on their designated operational responsibilities.
He urged the Government to review the transfers and preserve the force’s original role. Referring to recent incidents in Tura, he cautioned that inadequate preparedness could leave the State vulnerable to major security challenges.
Sangma recalled that SF-10 was established with two components—the Rangers and the Battalion—and said selection and training for the Battalion involved rigorous assessments of physical fitness, ability and competence.
Restructuring Did Not Alter Mandate: Prestone
Responding to the cut motion, Tynsong, who holds the Home (Police) portfolio, said SF-10 was established in 2014 under the Government led by Sangma to combat militancy and respond to law-and-order disturbances.
The force initially had 1,794 personnel, including 180 women, with 66 per cent assigned to the Commando Wing and 34 per cent to the Law and Order Wing, he informed the House.
Following a detailed review of the changing security situation, SF-10 was restructured in 2020–21, bringing its strength down to 901 personnel.
Tynsong maintained that the restructuring had neither changed SF-10’s core mandate nor compromised the training standards or operational capabilities of its commandos.
He said the force currently operates from two bases under the Eastern and Western Ranges. Personnel continue to undergo training to enhance their skills and operational readiness, along with periodic Physical Proficiency Tests.
On the transfer of some commandos to the DEF and other battalions, Tynsong said the decisions were based on age considerations. He reiterated that the spirit and purpose of SF-10 remained unchanged.
Over 5,400 VVIPs and VIPs Visited Meghalaya
During his reply to the cut motion, Tynsong also informed the House that more than 5,400 VVIPs and VIPs had visited Meghalaya between the close of the 2025–26 financial year and August, with many arriving from Delhi.
The visitors included the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, State Ministers, High Court judges and senior officials, he said.
Tynsong pointed out that arrangements for such visits placed an expenditure burden on the State Government.
On protocols governing VVIP and VIP arrangements, he referred to the Blue Book and Yellow Book, stating that the State follows the Yellow Book for relevant arrangements.
Responding to concerns over the prevailing “VVIP/VIP culture”, Tynsong said the Government had issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) around two months ago governing the use of sirens and VIP vehicles.
He expressed confidence that all VIPs were complying with the prescribed guidelines.
