Mukul Sangma Urges Meghalaya Government to Deploy Special Force 10 Against Militant Regrouping
In a significant intervention during the concluding day of Meghalaya's budget session on Friday, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma strongly urged the state government to ensure the effective utilization of Special Force (SF) – 10. This elite unit was established during his tenure as Chief Minister to counter militant activities.
Real-Time Intelligence and Security Concerns
Sangma emphasized that during his administration, the government possessed real-time intelligence on militant movements across the state. "We used to have precise information detailing the specific corridors these militant groups utilized for their operations," he stated while participating in a detailed discussion on police department functioning.
The former Chief Minister highlighted ongoing security concerns, revealing that a woman from Songsak in Garo Hills recently informed him about sightings of numerous men carrying sophisticated weapons moving through the area. This alarming report underscores the persistent threat of militant regrouping in Meghalaya.
Special Force 10: A Strategic Asset
Sangma reminded the assembly that SF-10 was specifically created and trained to address the unique security challenges confronting Meghalaya at that time. "This specialized force proved immensely beneficial in maintaining security and order," he asserted.
However, the opposition leader expressed dismay that these highly trained personnel are currently underutilized in traffic control duties. He stressed that the substantial time and resources invested in their specialized counter-insurgency training must be properly accounted for and leveraged.
Call for Strategic Deployment and Expansion
The veteran politician called for renewed government focus on monitoring potential militant recruitment. "The administration should maintain accurate intelligence regarding how many individuals have traveled for militant training, which could facilitate the emergence of new insurgent groups," Sangma advised.
He proposed that police departments could generate significant employment opportunities by establishing additional battalions. These units could be strategically deployed to areas with heightened security requirements, with salaries potentially funded by either the state government or Government of India.
Sangma concluded by emphasizing that the current administration appears insufficiently attentive to the operational requirements and strategic potential of specialized forces like SF-10, urging immediate corrective measures to enhance Meghalaya's security apparatus.
