MISSING IN ACTION: Meghalaya police officer turns militant chief

IN A bizarre case of deserting the police force to join insurgency, a police officer from Meghalaya holding the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police reportedly left the force to become the self-styled commander-in-chief of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), a militant organization in that North-East state. The officer named Champion Sangma was absent from duties for the last one year, and it is now suspected that he heads the militant organization which has recently stepped up its extortion drive demanding money upto Rs 1 cr from businessmen and coal merchants, media reports said.

The state police has stopped the salary of Mr Sangma who was posted as the Assistant Commandant of the Second Meghalaya Police Battalion in West Garo Hills district when disappeared from the scene without informing the authority. The state has now begun a manhunt to trace the missing officer.

Disclaimer: The picture is symbolic and not of Champion Sangma  

Centre drops plan to set up National Police University

The Union Cabinet on Friday approved the dropping of the proposal for establishment of Rs 350 cr National Police University in view of the inherent merits in opening study centers and chairs in the existing universities. It would have incurred recurring expenditure of Rs.25 cr per annum.

Action and Appointments

a) The ACC has approved the proposal for inter-cadre transfer of Shekhar Vidyarthi, a 2004 Gujarat cadre IAS and Ms Nazneen Bhasin, a 2007 Sikkim cadre IPS from their respective cadres to Haryana cadre.

b) Gajendra Bhujabal, a 1981 batch IES has been appointed as secretary for Industrial & Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) at the joint secretary level under finance ministry.

3 CHEERS: More Money for Central Babus

In yet another bonanza for Central government employees and pensioners, the government has hiked 8% Dearness Allowance effective from January 1, 2010 mainly to offset price rise. This will be over 27% Basic Pay/Pension. The cost-of-living allowance is linked to the percentage rise in the 12-month average of the consumer price index and is revised twice a year.