SHILLONG: With improved law and order in Garo Hills and peace in Khasi Hills, the government and police hope to have a free and fair election in 2018.
Director General of Police SB Singh recently said with the dwindling strength of GNLA, the situation is turning normal and this will be conducive for the upcoming polls.
Moreover, the surrender of militant groups in Garo Hills has also helped in ensuring normalcy.
However, police will make adequate security arrangements during the polls.
To a question on Garo Hills, Chief Secretary Y. Tsering said the government will ensure that people vote without fear, threat or favour during the polls.
“If any threat emerges from any quarters, we will examine the matter and act,” Tsering said. The official said in the context of law and order, the state government will assess the vulnerability of constituencies based on historical facts and looking at the old lists of sensitive areas. The inter-state border situation will also be assessed before declaring a constituency normal, sensitive or hyper sensitive.
The election commission officials are expected to visit Shillong end of November.
