In a move that could mark a significant shift in Meghalaya’s internal security apparatus, the State Government is actively weighing the establishment of a Territorial Army (TA) unit — a proposal that may soon crystallize into policy as the cabinet convenes on 26 August. The idea, steeped in strategic foresight, comes amid heightened calls from student bodies and growing regional sentiment around localised security participation.
Sounding the clarion call for this unprecedented measure, Cabinet Minister and MDA spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh announced that the matter is under serious consideration by the government. “We will proactively and positively pursue the matter and, since this also concerns the Union Government, all details relating to the Territorial Army will be shared with members of the cabinet. We are meeting on the 26th of this month, and we should be in a position to take this process forward at this particular cabinet meeting,” Lyngdoh declared.
The call for the formation of a Territorial Army unit tailored to Meghalaya’s unique security landscape was originally echoed by leaders of the North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU). “Today, we have received a note on how to go about, structure, and initiate the process of having a Territorial Army,” Lyngdoh stated, noting that neighbouring Assam has already operationalised a full-fledged Territorial Army unit — setting a precedent Meghalaya is keen to follow.
While Mizoram was cited as a reference by NESO and KSU leaders, Assam remains the only state in the region to have successfully institutionalised its TA component, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by policymakers in Shillong. “We are collecting more and more details. In the case of Assam, it is under the Home Department, and in our case, it can either come under Home or Home Guards and Civil Defence,” Lyngdoh added. “Once we approve in principle the concept of the TA, we will be able to update you.”
Dismissing any notion of dissatisfaction with the Border Security Force (BSF), the minister clarified that the proposed Territorial Army is not a replacement but a reinforcement mechanism. “Not at all,” Lyngdoh said when asked if the state government was unhappy with the BSF’s performance. “In fact, we are looking at the scenario where everybody joins forces. The BSF has now advertised 300 posts for ST candidates of Meghalaya — the biggest recruitment drive ever by the BSF — for which I am thankful to the DG BSF with whom I have been in constant touch.”
The envisioned Territorial Army would act as a viable supplementary force, particularly in remote and border areas where the presence of central or state forces remains thin. “Apart from the BSF, we will also need the support of local villagers. You can’t expect the BSF and the police to be everywhere, which is why the Territorial Army is a viable supplementary force,” Lyngdoh asserted.
Tying into the broader vision of community-led security, the Minister recalled that the state government has already passed legislation allowing for the creation of Village Defence Parties (VDPs) — grassroots units empowered to safeguard their own communities. “We would like to see more localities and villages coming forward to join and establish VDPs, which have multifarious roles — whether it is maintenance of peace, dealing with narcotics, or generally to supplement the efforts of the state to provide a safe policing ecosystem in Meghalaya.”
