Shillong, Feb 29: Eight companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have been sought from the Centre to assist the state in maintaining law and order following clash at Ichamati on Friday and violent incidents in Shillong on Saturday.
Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui told reporters on Saturday that two companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have already arrived in the state while another six companies will be arriving tonight.
“As a government, we are very much concern about the development, we don’t want to take anything for granted. We want this situation should be brought under control,†the minister said after convening a meeting with traditional heads and NGOs at the deputy commissioner’s office.
Asked whether the government is contemplating to have a flag march by the army, Rymbui however said, “Let us not go into that because I don’t see that the citizen of the state wants the situation to deteriorate.â€
He also assured that the government will ensure that normalcy is restored very soon.
Rymbui also urged the traditional headmen and leaders of different NGOs to work together with the government to ensure that the upcoming examinations are not disrupted and that peace and normalcy is restored.
The minister also informed that the government has ordered a magisterial inquiry to be headed by ADM M Lakiang into the incident at Ichamati. He said eight persons have been arrested so far.
“Investigation is going on and if there are other people who are found to be involved, the law will take its own course,†Rymbui said.
Whether the government is considering postponing the Board’s exams, which will commence from next week, due to the deteriorating law and order situation, Rymbui, who is also in-charge of Education said that he doesn’t see that is required.
“I hope by Monday everything will be alright and that is why we need the cooperation of everybody. I also urge the students to prepare well and I also wish them to do well (in their examinations),†he said.
The minister also assured that the government is not sleeping over the issue but is trying its best to control the situation. “The incident is an eye opener for us to ensure that it does not repeat in the future,†he said.
Meanwhile, the traditional heads have urged the state government to consider shifting the loadshedding hour during night time. General secretary of the Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynñiewtrep (SNSBH), RL Blah said that the loadshedding during 2 am to 4am should be shifted to prevent anti-social elements from taking advantage of the situation
