Itanagar: Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, steps have been initiated to neutralise the activities of underground elements in troubled Tirap, Changlang and Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh.
Inspector General of Police (Administration) Arvind Deep said steps have been initiated in coordination with the Army, central paramilitary forces and local police to neutralise the activities of underground elements in troubled Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts of the state.
Deep`s response came days after the BJP allegation that underground cadres of rebel outfits may influence the poll process in the Eastern Arunachal districts.
When his attention was drawn to the report that underground elements have been intimidating the voters under threats to vote or not to vote a particular candidate, the IGP said a strategy has been in place to ensure free and fair simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the assembly throughout the state on April 9.
"Additional 20 companies of central paramilitary forces (CPMF) besides 24 existing companies have been pressed on duty to ensure free and fair polls," the IGP said adding 8000 personnel of the state police including India Reserve Battalion were also deployed on poll duties.
"We have kept a very few numbers of state police personnel for essential duties while the rest were engaged on poll duties," he added.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Chandra Bhusan Kumar during a press conference on Wednesday had categorically said that adequate forces including central para military forces were deployed for smooth conduct of the elections.
While 7,53,170 voters, including 3,77,272 women, are expected to exercise their franchise in 2,158 polling stations in the state, all the booths would be given protection by the Central forces, the CEO said.
BJP Arunachal Pradesh president Tai Tagak had recently alleged that candidates of various political parties are using underground elements to woo voters and claimed that an AK rifle was seized from the vehicle of a candidate.
