Borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan to be sealed 72 hrs before polling

Guwahati: Assam’s international borders with Bangladesh and Bhutan will be sealed 72 hours before polling, while 134 inter-state border checkposts are being put in place and flying squads and static teams will be positioned in constituencies for round-the-clock surveillance to check illegal transportation of material that could influence the elections.Assam shares inter-state borders with Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Nagaland.IGP (law & order) Akhilesh Kr Singh, who is the nodal security officer for polls, said over 74,000 Assam police personnel of various ranks will be engaged during the polls, while 200 CAPF companies have already arrived in the state and few more will arrive later.He added that inter-state and inter-district border monitoring have been ramped up, along with CCTV coverage at most vital points.

As far as international boundaries are concerned, Singh said these are guarded by different security agencies, and sealing of borders and other requisite election guidelines will be followed as per laid-down norms.“Active area domination and confidence-building measures are being undertaken by security agencies to ensure that no intimidation of voters takes place,” he added.The IGP said efforts are being made to curb the flow of illicit items, including illegal liquor, during the poll period.

Singh said special nakas are being set up at inter-state and inter-district borders, particularly in sensitive areas, along with extensive CCTV coverage to ensure all checking procedures are recorded. Instructions have also been issued directing licensed arms holders to deposit their weapons with the authorities.Meanwhile, CEO Anurag Goel said there will be nine Flying Squad Teams (FST) and nine Static Surveillance Teams (SST) in each constituency. “The FST and SST teams will be a mix of civil and police officers with a videographer,” he added.