SHILLONG: The entire State including the capital city has been put under a heavy security blanket to thwart any subversive activities by militant groups who have called for a boycott of the Republic Day celebrations.
The heightened security comes in the wake of a 16-hour Republic Day boycott call issued by the now-dormant Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).
The 16-hour boycott begins from 1 am and continues till 5 pm on Thursday.
State DGP N Ramachandran on Wednesday said, “Adequate security measures have been taken to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.”
Central Paramilitary Forces and police personnel were deployed at various places of the city. Police commandoes were checking all vehicles passing through the city and Meghalaya-Assam border to detect movement of insurgents who might infiltrate into the state capital to disrupt the celebrations.
The DGP however refused to divulge any information about the security measures which have been taken for Thursday’s Republic Day celebrations.
He only informed that adequate security measures have put in place at Polo for the official Republic Day programme where Governor RS Mooshahary will take the salute.
In a bid to thwart any attempt from Northeast-based militants to sneak into India, the BSF has intensified patrolling along the international border.
Incidentally, another militant outfit the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), which is currently under a ceasefire agreement with the government has not boycotted the celebrations for many years. (With inputs from Agencies)