Governor Vijayashankar Outlines Security Priorities and Infrastructure Upgrades in Republic Day Address
In a significant Republic Day speech delivered at the Polo Grounds in Shillong, Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar articulated the government's unwavering commitment to ensuring peace and security across Meghalaya's sensitive border regions. The governor's address highlighted both inter-state and international border management as top priorities for the administration.
Securing the Assam-Meghalaya Boundary
Governor Vijayashankar specifically referenced last year's skirmishes along the Assam-Meghalaya boundary, noting that timely government intervention in Lapangap village, West Jaintia Hills district, prevented further escalation of tensions. "This decisive action allowed our farmers to complete their harvest without disruption," he stated, underscoring how security measures directly support agricultural livelihoods and community stability.
Enhancing Indo-Bangladesh Border Vigilance
Regarding the international frontier, the governor detailed comprehensive measures being implemented along the Indo-Bangladesh border. "We maintain close coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF) to monitor the situation continuously," Vijayashankar explained. He further revealed that Deputy Commissioners have been directed to activate Village Defense Parties (VDPs), a community-based security initiative designed to bolster surveillance and protection mechanisms in border-adjacent areas.
Police Modernization and Capacity Building
The governor announced several critical developments in Meghalaya's law enforcement infrastructure:
- Anti-Terror Squad Establishment: The creation of a specialized Anti-Terror Squad within Meghalaya Police represents a "decisive step to counter terror threats with precision and professionalism."
- Forensic Science Advancements: Significant progress has been made in upgrading forensic capabilities, including the establishment of a DNA unit that enables advanced examinations locally. This eliminates outsourcing delays and accelerates judicial processes.
- Cyber Forensic Unit: The government has sanctioned a Cyber Forensic Science Unit within the Directorate of Forensic Science to address the growing challenge of cyber fraud.
- Personnel Recruitment: The state is in the final stages of recruiting 3,000 new police personnel, with completion targeted for February this year, substantially strengthening the police force.
Peaceful Law and Order Environment
Reviewing the past year, Governor Vijayashankar reported that Meghalaya experienced overall peaceful conditions, with various state festivals and national celebrations conducted without incident. He extended gratitude to security forces, stating, "We salute the unwavering dedication and sacrifices of our armed forces, paramilitary forces, and Meghalaya Police whose vigilant efforts ensure our safety and security."
The governor's comprehensive address reflects a multi-faceted approach to security that combines border management, police modernization, forensic technology upgrades, and community engagement to maintain stability in this strategically important northeastern state.
