SHILLONG:
As far as security arrangement is concerned, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) F R Kharkongor assured that security cover is adequate, informing that the Election Commission of India has earmarked 119 companies, of which 40 companies are already deployed in the state.
He told reporters that after Tripura polls another 79 companies will be coming and these will be deployed all over the state.
“We hope and anticipate barring a few isolated incidents that the polling will be conducted peacefully and free and fair and adequate companies have been allotted by the election commission this time,” he said.
He recalled that during heights of militancy way back in 2008 and 2013, elections were conducted peacefully and if there is any violence, it is more of an aberration and it is not the usual norm.
On the other hand, he said that there have been various kinds of complaints on the CVIGIL app such as hoardings, as well as the clash in Phulbari where almost 31 people were arrested so far and 125 have been rounded from both the parties concerned.
As per the police report out of the 31, 15 are from the National People’s Party (NPP) and 16 from Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Rs 151 cr seizure till date
As for the seizures, Kharkongor informed that up to February 9, the amount of seizure is Rs 151.27 crore in which Rs 6 crore was cash and Rs 23 plus crore was drugs and narcotics and other categories.
On the other hand, he said that the entry points of the state such as Umiam in Ri Bhoi, Umkiang area in Jaintia Hills, and some pockets of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo hills and mainly the entry and transit points are considered vulnerable areas.