SHILLONG, FEB 20: Meghalaya government has decided to seek the cooperation of the Assam government to ensure free and fair district council elections in areas along the inter-state borders with the neighbouring state besides strengthening the security.
The decision was taken during the review exercises ahead of the elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) slated for February 24.
The government has directed the deputy commissioners (DCs) of four districts to talk to their respective counterparts to ensure that the elections to the autonomous district councils are not affected due to the border row between the two states.
“Our focus along the inter-state border stems from the inputs we received that there may be forces who will try to prevent the setting up of polling booths that may affect the election process,” Meghalaya Commissioner & Secretary in-charge of political department Jopthiaw Lyngdoh said.
Lyngdoh informed that it is on this basis that the government has decided to strengthen its security mechanism besides soliciting the Assam government aid in thwarting such elements.
Lyngdoh further informed that the state security agencies have already identified those areas located along the Ri-Bhoi-Karbi Anglong area and West Jaintia-Karbi-Anglong patches.
The state government felt the initiative is required on the possibility of a glitch in conducting the elections particularly in the areas where both Assam and Meghalya are staking their claim.- By Our Reporter
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