Nagaland prepared for Lok Sabha election

Kohima, April 1 (PTI): Nagaland Election Department is prepared for the conduct polls in the state, CEO Nagaland Sentiyanger Imchen said. Altogether 33 companies of additional forces of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have already reached the state and have been put on election duty. The forces include 10 coys of Tripura State Rifles, seven coys of Mizoram Armed Police; eight each coys of BSF and CRPF.

Official sources also revealed besides the CAPF, the available battalions of Nagaland Armed Police (NAP) and Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) would also be utilized for poll duty.

The sources also maintained that due to shortage in sanctioning of central forces for the poll duties, the service of about 500 Home Guard personnel and 3000 Village Guards would also be utilised. He said that two each general observers and expenditure observers, and one police observer are also in the state.

He also said that SVEEP campaigns are being conducted in every part of the state while distribution of plastic EPIC, which is to be used in Assam and Nagaland only for the first time, is also in progress. Nagaland has a total of 11,74,663 electors’ spread over 2059 polling stations in 12 electoral districts, including Pughoboto electoral district of the state.

Three candidates are on fray for the lone Lok Sabha seat. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is contesting from Naga People’s Front, former Minister KV Pusa is official Congress candidate while Akhei Achumi is contesting from Socialist Party (India) ticket.

Police Observer arrives in Nagaland
KOHIMA, APRIL 1 (MExN): The Police Observer appointed by the ECI, Sudheer, arrived in the state capital on March 31, for assessing the situation, in relation to the 16th Lok sabha polls. Sudheer an IPS officer of 1993 batch informed that he has already interacted with the CEO Nagaland, Commissioner and senior police officers and that he would be visiting some of the districts in due course of time. The Police Observer sought the cooperation and coordination of all concerned in carrying out free, fair and peaceful elections. The Police Observer can be contacted at 8014468158.