Gopalaswami to review Meghalaya's security scenario

Shillong,Jan 14 (UNI) Chief Election Commissioner(CEC) N Gopalaswami along with the other two Election Commissioners is scheduled to arrive here on January 18 to review the poll preparedness for the coming Assembly elections in Meghalaya.

Assembly elections will be held in Meghalaya on March 3 and counting will be held on March 7, Mr Gopalaswami said.

During his visit, Mr Gopalaswami will hold discussions with the State Election Commission, observers, Director General of Police, District Magistrates and political parties.

Two Election Commissioners Dr S Y Quraishi and Mr Navin B Chawla will accompany the CEC.

Meanwhile, state Chief Secretary Ranjan Chatterjee today assessed the security scenario in Garo Hills in view of the Assembly elections at Tura in West Garo Hills district.

The meeting, attended by Director General of Police B K Dey Sawian, Deputy Commissioners and Superintendent of Polices besides other senior government officials.

Last week, the government had asked the proscribed Achik National Volunteers' Council (ANVC) not to interfere or get involved directly or indirectly during the Assembly polls.

The ANVC, which signed a tripartite agreement on July 23, 2004, with the Centre and Meghalaya government to suspend armed operations and extortions had assured the government to restrain its cadres from getting involved during the polls.

The tribal Garo militant outfit, which operates in the Garo Hills and in certain parts of the West Khasi Hills, is fighting for its demand for a separate Garoland under the Indian constitution.

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