Meghalaya Governor M. M. Jacob once again appealed to militant organisations of the State to come to the negotiating table to sort out their problems and shun the path of violence.

Addressing the budget session of the Assembly Mr. Jacob said the State Government had revised the scheme dealing with rehabilitation of surrendered militants. Condemning the December 13 terrorist attack on Parliament and similar cowardly act near Jammu and Kashmir Assembly prior to that, he said during the last one year, Meghalaya remained free from communal disturbances and the law and order situation was by and large peaceful. However, some militant organisations continued to terrorise the people and create a sense of insecurity. He said the government had taken steps to tackle the problems effectively with intensifying the counter insurgency operation. Besides, the 3rd Meghalaya Police Battalion had been made operational and the 4th MLP Battalion had already been sanctioned and was being raised, the Governor said. The police force had been modernised in terms of weaponry, communication, intelligence gathering, mobility, police housing and training, he said.

Regarding the influx of Bangladeshi nationals, Mr. Jacob said during 2001, 3094 such nationals had been detected and pushed back. The scheme of Prevention of Infiltration of Foreigners would continue and the numbers of police outposts along the borders would be increased, he said. The Centre has also been requested to strengthen BSF for more intensive and vigilant deployment, he said.

On the financial front, the Governor said the State government had submitted proposals to the Planning Commission for a plan
size of Rs 3000 crore for the tenth Plan. The plan allocation for the next financial year was fixed at Rs 545 crore. Taking into account the Rs 35 crore under the PMGSY the total allocation comes to Rs 580 crore.
    
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