Shillong: Meghalaya Cabinet Minister, Paul Lyngdoh on Friday informed that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) as a ‘neutral’ force only in the ‘highly sensitive locations’ where troubles have broken out or have the potential of conflict escalation.
The Minister while speaking to reporters also informed that the CRPF jawans will not be deploy in Langpih Sector as it does not indicate any possibility of skirmishes or conflicts.
“As of date, reports that have emerged from Langpih do not indicate any possibility of skirmishes or conflicts, so these forces will only be deployed in highly sensitive locations where troubles have broken out or have the potential of conflict escalation,” said Lyngdoh.
Reacting on the FKJGP statement in opposing the deployment of the CRPF in such areas, Lyngdoh said that opposition will arise even if do not send anyone. He added that if Meghalaya sends their police forces Assam will object, if Assam sends Assam police, Meghalaya will object, if we send paramilitary central forces, some NGOs will object.
“.. if we do not send anyone, you will object, then who do we send? We cannot leave the areas as it is, leave it unmanned, unguarded. Because you are opposing Meghalaya Police, Assam Police, Paramilitary…everyone”, added Lyngdoh.
However, the Minister optimistic expressed that once the final Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed by the two states- Assam and Meghalaya border conflict will be a thing of the past.
It maybe noted, Meghalaya and Assam have decided to deploy Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on the inter-state boundary, especially at sensitive locations, following the recent spate of violence between the local communities in border areas especially in Khanduli-Psiar area.
This was discussed at the CM level meet between Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati on September 30.
