The Election Commission (EC) on Friday directed the Assam Rifles to heighten vigilance along the 1643 km stretch of Indo-Myanmar border in view of the ensuing Assembly election in Nagaland.
The move has been initiated to prevent any attempts by subversive groups of the north-eastern holed up in hideout camps of the neighbouring nation of Myanmar along the international border.
The EC expressed apprehension that militants might sneak into the state from Myanmar to create disturbance and law and order instability during the upcoming polls.
Nagaland is going to polls along with two other north-eastern states, Meghalaya and Tripura either in February or March.
Meanwhile, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Nagaland, Abhijit Sinha, apprised the media that security along inter-state and inter-district boundaries has also been intensified to ensure a peaceful and trouble-free election.
Nagaland shares a 215-km international border with Myanmar across which several militant organizations including the NSCN(K) and ULFA(I) have put up their base camps.
Notably, NSCN(K) is not a party to the ongoing peace process with the Centre to solve the decade-old vexed Naga problem.
While interacting with the media in Kohima, the CEO said as per directive from the Election Commission, the Assam Rifles that guard the Indo-Myanmar border along the state of Nagaland have been asked to increase the presence of their personnel along the international border. The Assam Rifles have also been asked to fortify their border outposts.
Sinha further said, the law and order scenario in the State is conducive for polls, but adding, the EC is not in any mood to take chances.
The CEO also said, CCTV installations at vital and strategic locations along the international border as well as inter-state and inter-district borders have also been fortified to monitor any suspicious movements in the run-up to the Assembly elections.
The CEO further added the Union Government is shooting off 276 companies of additional central paramilitary forces to be pressed for law and order duty during the ensuing polls.