Shillong, March 3: Former Meghalaya director-general of police, Rajiv Mehta, will be back as the state's security adviser for a year.

This is the first time that Meghalaya will have its own security adviser.

Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, in which it was decided to appoint Mehta, chief minister Mukul Sangma said the state required a dedicated and experienced person with a thorough knowledge of the state and the region while dealing with internal security.

Mukul said the security adviser will give suggestions and recommendations regarding strategies while dealing with state security, border issues with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, human rights issues and strengthening police organisation, among others.

Asked if a search panel was constituted to find a suitable person for the post, Mukul said there had been no panel but the state government had scouted for officers who had a thorough knowledge of the region.

Mehta, a retired IPS officer from the 1981 batch of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, had served in various capacities, including as DGP of Meghalaya.

The state government had earlier wanted to extend his services as DGP but the Centre had rejected the proposal.

The Congress-led government had in June last year written to the Union home ministry with a request to extend Mehta's service for three months but the request was declined.

Mehta retired as the DGP of Meghalaya on June 30 last year. The state is yet to have a full-fledged DGP.

The State Security Commission has not decided whether officiating DGP S.B. Singh should be given full charge or if the panel should opt for a new DGP.

The chief minister said the commission would meet next week to take a call on the issue.