SHILLONG: Meghalaya government has asked the border guarding force BSF to maintain strict vigil along the India-Bangladesh border in the run up and around the Lok Sabha election in the state.
Talking to media persons here on Tuesday, state’s Chief Electoral Officer, F R Kharkongor informed that apart from the international border, police of both Assam and Meghalaya were on high alert along the inter-state boundary in view of the upcoming April 11 Parliamentary poll.
It may be mentioned that Meghalaya share long international and inter-state boundary with Bangladesh and Assam, respectively.
Kharkongor said that there were various direction which have been issued to keep a close tab on all the activities and political events along the international border and inter-state boundary with Assam.
According to Kharkongor, police of the bordering districts are on high alert and the respective DCs and SPs are having regular meetings and deliberating on issues, if there are any.
He also informed that BSF had already seized Rs 20 lakh from West Khasi Hills and the seizure had been deposited with Income Tax department. A committee headed by the DC of West Khasi Hills will ascertain whether the money was for a non-political use or not.
Stating that law and order situation is under control and all steps were being undertaken to keep it that way, the CEO informed that 20 companies of the Central Armed Police force (CAPF) have already arrived in the state so far and out of which 11 companies are for Shillong Parliamentray seat and nine companies for Tura.
The CAPF will carry out area domination exercises and maintain strict vigil especially at night, adding closer to the poll dates, more CAPF companies will join in.
It may be mentioned that there are 3,167 polling stations, out of which 2053 are in Shillong Parliamentary constituency and 1114 in Tura parliamentary constituency. Over 700 polling stations are considered vulnerable while 249 are critical and 68 are marked both critical and vulnerable.