Meghalaya to retain BSF

SHILLONG, January 27: Meghalaya chief secretary J.P. Singh today said the two companies of Border Security Force and three additional companies of CRPF, requisitioned by the government recently, would stay as long as their services were required. The BSF and CRPF companies had been specially requisitioned by the government "to assist" the state police in maintaining law and order during the Republic Day celebrations. "We are happy to see that the Republic Day celebrations passed off peacefully despite protests by the militants," Singh said. The chief secretary said it was beneficial to be vigilant in maintaining law and order. "As there was no incident yesterday, we cannot take things lightly," he added. Special security arrangements were made in the state following a 36-hour bandh called by the militant outfits in protest against the "forceful occupation" of their land by "the Indian government". Singh claimed the law and order situation here was "totally under control" yesterday as the entire city was divided into sectors and senior police officials undertook regular patrolling. "The strategy worked," he said.