Meghalaya steps up efforts to curb insurgency

SHILLONG, March 26: Meghalaya Home Ministry TH Rangad told the State Assembly that the banned Hynniewtrep National Volunteer Council (HNLC) and Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) militants had been using the National Highway passing through the State capital, for arms smuggling, report agencies. Replying to the zero hour notice tabled by Opposition member, Pynshai Manik Syiem (Independent) on the setting up of police check gates near residential areas in the city, Ranged said setting up of such gates was necessary to check unlawful activities which also included drug trafficking. He also said public would not be inconvenienced by these check gates, as their purposes were for maintenance of law and order and for ensuring the security of citizens. On the shifting of these check gates form residential areas, Ranged said the check gates would remain till alternative arrangement was made.