Mukul flags shift of commandos to regular duties
Shillong, Aug 28: The strength of the elite Special Force-10 (SF-10) was brought down from 1,794 to 901 personnel in 2020-21 after a detailed review of the security scenario, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong told the Assembly on Friday.
Tynsong, however, asserted that core objective of SF-10 remains intact despite the downsizing.
The force was created in 2014 by the then Mukul Sangma-led government to deal with insurgency and law and order situations.
“The original strength was 1,794, including 180 women commandos, divided into Commando wing 66 percent and Law and Order 34 percent. With the changing security scenario, amendments were made and rationalization was done, reducing the strength to 901,” Tynsong said in reply to a query from Mukul Sangma.
The force is now deployed in two tactical bases in Eastern and Western Ranges, he said, adding that training standards and quality have not been compromised and skills are regularly upgraded.
Tynsong said periodic physical proficiency tests are conducted and some personnel are shifted to DEF or battalions on account of age, but the spirit of SF-10 cannot be diluted.
While moving the cut motion, the Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma said Meghalaya had successfully overcome its dependence on central forces like COBRA by raising its own elite Special Force-10, but the purpose of the force is now being defeated.
Sangma said the State earlier had to rely on central paramilitary forces due to inadequacy of state security, until it decided to harness the potential of its own men and women for internal security.
The SF-10 was raised with two distinct wings – Rangers and Battalion – with the Battalion undergoing one of the most strenuous selection and training processes to stretch personnel to their limits, he said.
“The intent of raising SF-10 as an effective force is commendable and it has shown fruition,” Sangma said.
He said the core idea was that personnel trained for specialised operations must be segregated and insulated from routine policing, as police organisation is an integral part of justice administration.
Pointing out that before SF-10 many policemen were physically unfit and used to collapse in difficult terrain during operations, he said the force was conceptualised to be kept ready at all times without any complacency.
“All these men who were trained through strenuous training have been shifted to DEF and other duties. This is an action taken without giving thought to the objective behind raising the force. This should be corrected,” he said.
Sangma warned that the State could face serious challenges if similar law and order situations arise, citing the recent incidents witnessed in Tura.
“Where are those Rangers who are trained to deal with law and order without using guns? Dealing with civil unrest or mob violence is different from dealing with terrorists. You cannot send anybody who is untrained to handle it,” he said.
