Tight security for fair polls in Nagaland

Kohima, Feb 13 (UNI) A total of 168 companies of Para-military forces and over 16,000 police force will be deployed for the Nagaland March five Assembly polls to conduct a free and fair elections.

State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) C J Ponraj told UNI that the Centre has sanctioned 150 companies of para-military forces to conduct the polls, some companies have already arrived the state and a few will arrive after the Tripura election is over.

The state has already 18 companies of existing CRPF.

He said the state police has a strength of 10,212 personnel including all ranks. Besides, there are 5,800 Village Guards and 500 Home Guards, who are also be deployed during the elections. The total strength of state forces is 16,512.

On sensitive polling stations, Mr Ponraj said the sensitive booths would be identified only after completion of finalizing of nomination papers and deployment of the security forces would be done accordingly.

UNI AS PP RD 1245