Shillong, May 27: The Meghalaya High Court has granted three weeks’ time to the state to file requisite responses related to the filling up of vacancies in the state police force.

The order was passed by the division bench which comprised of the Chief Justice, Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice HS Thangkhiew while hearing a PIL on the matter on Monday.

Advocate General Amit Kumar informed the bench that due to the Model Code of Conduct, those vacancies remained to be filled up, however, now it has to be ascertained whether merit list is still valid and require extension.

He said that within a month’s time, the position will be known about filling up the unfilled posts as mentioned above and vacancies which may have accrued.

When the Advocate General pointed out that the posts of Dy.SP had been referred to the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) and the present status is not known, the bench directed that the Secretary of MPSC is arrayed as party respondent to enable him to indicate the present status about the process initiated.

As per an affidavit filed before the bench, it has been made clear that from amongst AB/UB Group posts, 1,973 posts have been filled up, whereas 92 posts remained vacant due to non-joining of the candidates.

From amongst SF-10 Group posts, 555 posts have been filled up, whereas 131 posts remained vacant due to non-joining of the candidates.

With regards to the Junior Grade of Police Service (MPS), out of 102 posts, 35 are direct quota, and 34 promotional quota, and from amongst the direct quota 16 vacancies, and promotional quota 10 vacancies are to be filled up.

The affidavit said that the process for recruitment is yet to be ascertained whether it is required to be initiated, or the candidates are to be appointed from the waiting list.