Diphu: For the first time in 15 years,
insurgents of the ethnic KLNLF participated in the democratic process by casting their vote in central Assam`s Karbi Anglong district.
Karbi Longri National Liberation Front chairman P Dili
told reporters at a polling booth here that 41 of his cadres
in two designated camps exercised their franchise for the
first time in 15 years in the Assam Assembly elections.
As per the directions of the Election Commission of
India, Dili said facilities have been provided in the two
KLNLF designated camps housing 20 and 21 members each.
"We feel proud to exercise our franchise to express
our hopes and aspirations. We are grateful for this special
facility to vote in our designated camps", he said.
The militant leader also said that the facility was provided to them as his outfit, after laying down arms last year, was cooperating with the security forces in their operations against extremists in the district.
Asked if he was satisfied with the security measures
in the district, particularly in view of the killing of four
CRPF men on Saturday by his breakaway outfit Karbi Peoples
Liberation Tigers in the district, Dili said, "The measures
are not as intense as expected".
The Election Commission had notified that the
ex-militants lodged in the designated camps in Assam and
having their names in the electoral rolls would be entitled to
vote by postal ballot.
The EC had also decided that the Assistant
Returning Officers/Nodal Officers appointed for the various
camps would be responsible for providing the required forms to
the voters in the camps.
The sealed envelopes containing postal ballot would be
dropped in the drop box by the notified electors of concerned
Assembly constituencies as per the EC notification and after
consultation with the Central Government.
PTI
