By Oken Jeet Sandham
KOHIMA, Apr 29 (NEPS): Nagaland DGP K Kire said the State had geared up all the necessary security arrangements for the smooth conduct of the ensuing by-election of 26 Aonglenden Assembly Constituency to be held on May 7 next in Mokokchung district.
Former Nagaland Chief Minister and ex-Governor of Maharashtra and Goa Dr SC Jamir, Congress candidate and Toshipokba, ruling NPF party candidate, are fighting this by-election.
Talking to NEPS here at his office chamber today, the DGP said so far they had not received any incident till date and everything was peaceful in the district in general and the 26 Aonglenden Assembly Constituency area in particular.
He also disclosed that the Home Ministry had directed them to deploy 15 Companies of CRPF drawing from Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura for the by-election purpose in the Mokokchung district. “But we taken only 10 Companies,” Kire said adding, “They already have 5 Companies of CRPF while another 5 Companies of CRPF from Manipur have already come to Nagaland.”
Out of the 10 Companies of CRPF, 1 Company would be placed in Mokokchung, while the rest would be placed in Tuensang, Zunheboto, Wokha an Peren districts mainly to prevent any elements from disrupting the polls, the Police chief revealed.
In addition to these security arrangements, they also already had 4 Companies of IR Police personnel in Mokokchung and they would be shortly joined by another 1 Company of Mahila IR personnel. “So with these arrangements in place and the prevailing peaceful environment in the district, I expect the ensuing by-election in the district will be by and large peaceful and free and fair,” he added.
Asked about the reported threat to Dr SC Jamir by NSCN (IM), Kire pointed out there was no such report of threat to him (Dr SC Jamir). He revealed that after they received such report of threat to Dr Jamir by NSCN (IM), they investigated with inputs from various sources including Army, SIB, CRPF and State Police. But not a single incident of threat to Dr Jamir was found, he disclosed.
Yet, the Threat Perception Committee had meeting and directed them to take necessary measure to provide security to the candidates. “We are doing all the needful and not taking anything for chances,” he stated.
Even IG (INT) C Sangtam met Dr Jamir yesterday and discussed about his security.