Shillong, June 24: Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang today said the state government was scrutinising the identity of the surrendered militants of the banned Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) before offering them a rehabilitation package. Replying to the general discussion on the budget in the assembly, he said the screening committee comprised the respective deputy commissioners and superintendents of police of the districts where the surrender took place.

So far 45 ANVC militants have surrendered, Lapang said. Referring to the boundary dispute between Assam and Meghalaya, the Chief Minister said "status quo" was being maintained and DGPs and DCs of the respective areas were asked to be in regular touch to settle the issue.

Additional police force were deployed in Khanduli and Mukroh villages in Jaintia Hills district bordering Assam to ensure a sense of security among the farmers, he said. On the modernisation of fire services, Lapang said, nearly Rs 35 lakh would be spent by installing new equipment.

The Chief Minister said the government was examining with "open mind" the issue of mining uranium in Domiasiat area in West Khasi Hills district and urged MLA H S Lyngdoh, who spearheaded a movement against it, to look into it with "open mind" also.
Lapang said the government did not not have any formal information that people of the area were facing health hazard because of the uranium exploration. The government was considering a "strong and upto date" health policy by which all districts would get a well-equipped hospital, he said.

Bureau Report