Shillong, Feb 19: The state government has assured that adequate security forces have been deployed in polling stations identified as vulnerable and critical for the autonomous district council (ADC) elections in Khasi and Jaintia Hills on Friday.
Altogether 224 polling stations – 129 in KHADC and 95 in JHADC – have been identified as vulnerable or critical so far. The KHADC has a total 1,669 polling stations and the JHADC has 477.
“Adequate deployment of security forces is in place to ensure a free, fair and smooth elections on February 21,” Cyril Diengdoh, commissioner & secretary in-charge District Council Affairs (DCA) department, told reporters on Wednesday.
“All arrangements are in place. We have had multiple review meetings with the deputy commissioners, who are responsible to conduct the elections,” he said.
The deputy commissioners have identified the vulnerable and sensitive polling stations for which additional security forces are being deployed in consultation with the SPs, he added.
Informing about the authorities’ confidence to deal with any kind of eventuality, he said, “They have requisitioned enough security personnel, including home guards so there is no report of shortage.”
After due assessment, more manpower has been deployed in vulnerable and critical polling stations.
Meanwhile, a huge number of security personnel stationed in Garo Hills, where there is no election, have been deployed in the poll-bound eastern region of the state.
While informing about a review meeting between the chief secretary DP Wahlang with the deputy commissioners on the poll preparation, Diengdoh said, “The CS also inspected one of the important centres in Shillong which is at the ISBT, Mawiong.
Polling parties and materials will be dispatched from ISBT while the counting will also take place there on February 24.
Asked, Diengdoh said, “The DCs are confident. They have deployed sector magistrates, sector officers including sector police officers. Everything is in place and we are confident in having free, fair and smooth elections.”
Allaying fears in the wake of recent tension in inter-state border with Assam along West Jaintia Hills, the commissioner and secretary said, “The deputy commissioners are in constant touch with their counterparts the DCs in Assam to ensure smooth movement of all polling parties.”
“The chief secretary has written to the chief secretary, Assam to ensure smooth movement of polling parties as some polling parties have to move through Assam, which is done even during the Lok Sabha and assembly elections. This is the usual practice as the same drill is being followed so we don’t foresee any problem,” he said.
