Shillong, February 26: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong informed the Assembly on Thursday that the State police force remains understaffed in proportion to its population.
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| Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong speaks in the Assembly on police manpower shortages across the State. (Image: X@megassemlychannel) |
Replying to a query raised by Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, Tynsong said that although over 2,000 personnel have recently been recruited, around 1,000 vacancies still remain and will soon be advertised.
He stated that as per norms of the Police Research and Development Bureau, Meghalaya requires a larger police force based on population size. The State currently has 86 police stations.
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Providing details, the Deputy Chief Minister said Police Stations require 1,843 personnel but have only 1,431. Police Outposts require 503 personnel but have 380, while the Traffic Branch requires 439 personnel but has 368. The CID requires 121 personnel but has 107, and the Special Branch requires 580 personnel but has 546.
Overall, against a sanctioned strength of 3,486 personnel, the present strength stands at 2,832. Additionally, 859 police personnel are deployed in the Police Reserve across the State’s 12 districts.
The Government has indicated that recruitment will continue to address the manpower gap in the police department.
