Any threat to Assam Assembly Elections to be seriously dealt with: DGP

Guwahati: Any threat to the upcoming Assam Assembly elections will be seriously dealt by the Police, which is also geared up to tackle communal forces ruthlessly, said Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay on Friday.

"Threat, either from militants or any other source, will be seriously dealt with," Sahay said while addressing a press meet here.

"In the past, there have been instances of candidates having financial dealings with militants. This time such instances will be treated as terror offence under the Unlawful Activities Act," the DGP said.

Though the grading of poll booths was linked to the prevailing situation, Sahay said, "As of now more than 50 per cent of them are comparatively 'safe,' while 8,000 are 'sensitive' from militants, communal and Election Commission's parameters and 3,000 are 'hyper sensitive' including 1,000 'critical' ones."

Asked if there was a threat from communal forces on the eve of the elections, he said, "Sporadic incidents are there and we are fully geared up and prepared, not only sincerely, but ruthlessly."

"A critical issue for the police is unlicensed arms and getting control over legal and illegal weapons. There is some proliferation of arms in the state. So, we are going out intensely for seizure of illegal arms," the DGP said.

Stating that there has been a record seizure of arms and ammunition in the state, Sahay said since last year and till yesterday, 63 pieces of arms, 810 rounds of ammunition, 47 grenades and 800 gm explosives were seized with the bulk being from the NDFB hotbed BTAD area.

Informing that his police force has done its homework on the eve of the polls with one of its officers discussing the situation with the EC, the DGP said, "Our preparation is as per the law of the land, guidelines of the Election Commission and policy of the state."

"It is also for different phases of elections, for providing security to candidates and political parties, on the polling and counting dates," he said.

Sahay also said his department was ready with either two, three or four phase poll templates.

Asked if militants manufacturing explosives in neighbouring Meghalaya would have a bearing on Assam polls, he said, "Assam and Meghalaya Police are working out a joint strategy. GNLA from there and ULFA are collaborating, so we have to strike back."

"ULFA and others are also trying to be active in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and spill over to other states. We have been successful in giving a fitting reply," he asserted.