Paul Lyngdoh Advocates for More Village Defence Parties and Territorial Army to Bolster Meghalaya's Security

In a bid to address the escalating crimes against minors and the state's strained law enforcement resources, former Cabinet minister and state government advisor Paul Lyngdoh has proposed expanding Village Defence Parties (VDPs) and establishing a Territorial Army unit in Meghalaya.

He highlighted Meghalaya's alarmingly low police-to-population ratio, which has overburdened the force and hindered effective policing across the state.

Reacting to public fury over recent incidents involving children, Lyngdoh pointed out that the limited number of police personnel makes it challenging to maintain a visible presence, particularly in bustling urban centres like Shillong. "While police patrols are crucial, the department requires robust community support at the grassroots level," he remarked. He advocated for VDPs to serve as the "true ground-level enforcers" for law enforcement, fostering a collaborative approach to safety.

Lyngdoh noted that Shillong, home to nearly 7 lakh residents, currently operates just 11 VDPs—a figure he described as woefully inadequate, leaving vast swathes of the city vulnerable to lapses in local monitoring and rapid response. This shortfall, he argued, highlights the need to distribute the responsibility of community policing beyond the police alone, making it a collective duty.

Acknowledging the backlash against Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong's recent comments, Lyngdoh encouraged citizens to view them within the larger framework of resource constraints. Drawing inspiration from international models, such as New York's successful community policing initiatives, he called for Meghalaya to nurture a similar ethos of mutual vigilance and partnership among residents.

In discussions with the Chief Secretary, Lyngdoh floated the concept of launching a Territorial Army unit to augment conventional policing and enhance overall security. He positioned both VDPs and the Territorial Army as "positive, cohesive measures" to promote harmony and stability, rather than permitting discord or finger-pointing to undermine efforts.

Praising Meghalaya's cherished tradition of social cohesion, Lyngdoh invoked Governor C.H. Vijayashankar's recent praise for the state as "unparalleled in its peacefulness." He asserted that preserving this tranquillity is a joint obligation of the administration, customary bodies, and the public, particularly when children's well-being is under threat.