Meghalaya govt to initiate steps to shift CRPF camp from Mawlai: CM
A day after a clash broke out between the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and residents of Mawlai Nongkwar, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma held a meeting with the headmen of the area on Monday.
Following this, the Chief Minister said that the government will initiate immediate steps to shift the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp from the area to a permanent location.
The meeting was attended by deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong and nine headmen of Mawlai, led by local MDC Teiborlang Pathaw.
The Chief Minister met the local leaders to discuss the current law and order situation in the area that witnessed violent protests against the encounter of ex-general secretary of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), Cherish S Thangkhiew on August 13 in the area, on August 15.
On Sunday evening, a tense situation ensued in Mawlai Nongkwar after unidentified miscreants allegedly pelted stones at a CRPF bus. Residents informed that following the assault, a group of "angry" CPRF jawans launched a manhunt to nab the miscreants and beat up local people, and damaged public properties in the process. Following the incident, the local MLA PT Sawkmie and residents of the area had demanded shifting of the CRPF station, located at Block 9, to some other area.
The chief minister informed that the camp is situated in a piece of land belonging to the Arts & Culture Department, Government of Meghalaya.
"I had a conversation with the Inspector General (IG) of CRPF and he has agreed on the proposal saying if the government can give a permanent site to set up the camp, CRPF would be more than willing to shift. That would be a win-win situation for both sides," Sangma said.
Once the shifting of the camp is complete, the government has proposed to set up the youth and cultural centre in that area.
Meanwhile, the CM has urged the headmen and the MDC of Mawlai to play an active role to ensure peace is restored in the area. "The Rangbah Shnong(s) and MDC have responded positively and assured to do everything possible to make sure no such incident occurs in the area again," he added.
(Edited by Shankar Turha)
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