Guwahati: Nagaland’s interstate borders have been sealed in preparation for the assembly elections to stop undesirable people and things from entering Assembly Constituency from the outside.
“In compliance with PHQ Signal No.PHQ/ELECTIONCELL/GAE/61/2022-23/387 as per Election Commission of India SOP for the last 72 hours all interstate borders will have to be sealed to prevent undesirable elements and materials from being transported into Assembly Constituency from outside and to apprehend them if they attempt to do so,” read an offical press release from Deputy Comissioner of Police, Nagaland.
Wockha, Mokokchung, Dimapur, Noklak, Meluri, Chizami, Zunheboto and Phek have been declared as sensitive areas due to poll-bound violence.
Assembly elections are scheduled for this month’s 27th, and there have been reports of incidents relating to voting in Nagaland over the days.
All checkpoints were instructed to be sealed from the evening of February 25 till the evening of February 27, according to an official notification from the deputy commissioner of police in Nagaland.
“In this connection, DCP Dimapur/ Chumoukedima/ Niuland are directed to ensure the following at every interstate entry point under respective AOR. Seal all check posts w.e.f the evening of 25/02/2023 till the evening of 27/02/2023 and disallow any thoroughfare,” it read.
Patrolling has been intensified along the border to apprehend anyone attempting to crossover.
“Intensify patrolling along the border and apprehend anyone attempting to crossover. Co-ordinate with neighbouring Districts and Authorities of bordering states to ensure proper sealing of border,” it read.
Therefore, it is important to coordinate the entry of Emergency services and Essential goods into the state.
On February 25, Shekhar (IAS), Abhipt Soiha (KM), the Home Commissioner for Nagaland, and Rupin Sharma, the Director General of Police for Nagaland, visited the district of Wokha. They held a number of meetings there with representatives of the district’s administration, police, political parties, and civil society organisations.
The visit takes place in light of a few pre-election violence occurrences in several areas, notably Wokha.
In order to preserve a calm environment and hold free and fair elections, the Chief Electoral Officer, Home Commissioner and DGP of Nagaland examined the law and order in the district and met with representatives of various political parties and civic groups.
The visiting officials pleaded with the authorities to educate the populace about maintaining peace and abstaining from any violence related to the upcoming elections. All parties involved pledged to follow the Election Commission’s rules and to support and cooperate with the District Administration and Police in order to ensure a successful election.
Rupin Sharma, the DGP of Nagaland reaffirmed the presence of adequate security personnel and urged the parties and Oval social organisations to promote good conduct among party members and the general public in order to hold the election in a secure, free, and transparent way.
According to Rupin Sharma, Director General of Police for Nagaland, security has been stepped up in the state and the Central Armed Police have been stationed throughout districts.
“Terrains in Nagaland are very difficult to commute even for short distances. Police personnel are putting a lot of effort into controlling law and order,” he said.
The DGP advised the populace to alert the police if they learned anything suspicious about someone attempting to instigate or plotting violence.
According to Sharma, police have strengthened their scrutiny of vehicle movements and increased surveillance in the districts.
The DGP said, “Checking vehicles is important to combat the transportation of liquor, contraband or cash during the election which is antithetical to the mode of conduct under the Election Commission of India that mandates a free and fair election, which means that the political parties, workers and people should abstain from giving or seeking favour to others.”
According to the chief cop, statewide surprise checks are being made. He claimed that there was also more scrutiny of automobiles with official registration.
“Those people who have taken vehicles auctioned by Nagaland government to change the number plates as there are reports of using the vehicles with the government and police stickers are still on, must abstain from doing it, and if found using the old number plates, the vehicles will be impounded by the police,” he added.
According to Chief Electoral Officer V Shashank Shekhar on Saturday, 183 candidates would be running for 60 seats in the Nagaland Legislature.
The total number of Polling Stations is 2,351, with Merapani Polling Station No. 71 under 40 Bhandari AC recording the lowest number of electors (37), and Usutomi Polling Station No. 12 under 32 Atoizu AC recording the highest number of electors (1,348).
The Assembly Constituency with the lowest number of electors is 27 Mokokchung Town AC with 8,302 electors, and the Assembly Constituency with the highest number of electors is 4 Ghaspani-I AC with 74,395 electors. The Assembly Constituencies with the highest number of contesting candidates (6 candidates each) are – 6 Tening AC, 39 Sanis AC, and 45 Tehok AC.
Voting for the Nagaland Assembly polls will take place on February 27. The counting of votes will be held on March 2.