DIMAPUR, JANUARY 27 (MExN): The Nagaland State Government today directed the district administration and police to take all necessary security measures to ensure that agitation/bandh/demonstrations do not adversely affect the conduct of free and fair elections to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
A statement from the Home Commissioner informed that the district administration and police have been asked to make it clear to the organizations/groups giving the call for demonstration/agitation that the responsibility of ensuring that the demonstration/agitation is peaceful and within the four walls of the law rest on them. “In the event of unlawful act or violence on the part of the agitators or mob, the organizers/leaders shall also be held criminally and civilly liable,” it cautioned.
The state government further directed the district administration and police to take all measures to ensure that the candidates for the ULB polls are not harassed or forced by any individual/organizations to withdraw. It said that the government has taken serious note of reports of organizations/individuals resorting to intimidations/threats for forcing the candidates going for elections to Urban Local Bodies to disassociate from the electoral process.
“If any organization/individual is found indulging in such an act, appropriate action under the relevant sections of the law should be taken against the offenders,” it warned.
The government directed all concerned officials to take all necessary measures to ensure compliance of the above directives and cautioned that “any laxity or lapse on the part of any official in this regard would be viewed seriously and action would be taken against such officers.”
No official confirmation on internet & mobile blockage
Meanwhile, despite rumours that there would be a block on internet and mobile services, there was no such official information till the filing of this report. An official from the Nagaland government informed that there had been no such request made by the state government to service providers on Friday night.
