Meghalaya to tighten noose around rebels

SHILLONG, March 16: Meghalaya Governor M.M. Jacob today said the government will intensify counter-insurgency operations against the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and the A'chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC). In his address to the budget session of the Assembly which began here today, Jacob lauded the Mawlong government for prevalence of communal peace in the state during the past year. He, however, regretted that the HNLC and the ANVC were continuing with their robberies, dacoities, extortions, abductions and murders in the state. Jacob said the government was in the process of strengthening the state police through modernisation of arms, communication equipment, vehicles, manpower, skill and intelligence. Referring to the fire which gutted the Assembly on January 9 this year, Jacob said it was an "irreparable loss" and regretted that he had to address the House in this "temporary location". The State Central Library auditorium, which has been converted into a temporary Assembly, seemed strange and uncomfortable after the comfort of the old British-built Assembly which was gutted. Referring to the timber ban by the Supreme Court, a burning issue in the Khasi Hills, the Governor said the timber trade was still bound by the restrictions of the apex court. Though the working plans for all the three divisions have been approved by the Centre, these are kept in abeyance because of recent directions of the court. Touching upon the village reserve forest scheme, Jacob said it would be implemented soon. The scheme has been hanging fire for the past decade. The Governor said an armed forest task force will be set up to protect the state's reserve forests from encroachment and illegal felling. The Eleventh Finance Commission will provide grants for the purpose. The government also plans to set up a biogenetic research centre in Ri Bhoi district. Jacob said steps were being taken to acquire land for the project which will be funded by the Centre. Jacob said 60 villages would be linked by road this year under the newly-launched Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Nearly 150 villages will get electricity under the Prime Minister's package. Altogether Rs 75 lakh has been released for the project, he added. Hopes of air-link for the state were dashed once again as the Governor only mentioned in passing that "the matter of upgradation of Umroi Airport was being pursued with the Centre". Jacob said the government would provide the Autonomous District Councils with financial support for development of the rural poor. In a bid to mobilise revenue from the mineral sector, the government plans to set up more weighbridges in addition to the 13 mineral checkgates operating in the state. The government also proposes to set up a Rs 7-lakh technology park at Nongpoh in 2001-2002, Jacob said. New treasuries will be set up at Khliehriat and Amlarem, both in Jaintia Hills district, Jacob said. The government has acquired 1.68 acres of land, called Hermitage property, for the construction of the Shillong bench of the Gauhati High Court. Jacob said under the Eleventh Finance Commission, Rs 1 crore has been allotted to Meghalaya for creating three ad hoc courts, specifically for disposing off cases pending for over two years. These courts will be made operational soon and will function for five years, he added. The Governor emphasised the importance of transparency and fair play in dealing with issues of public importance.