The Arunachal Times - Archives

Arunachal votes to elect 57 legislators

Itanagar, Oct 12: Arunachal Pradesh votes on Oct 13 to elect 57 legislators from among 154 contestants. In all 7,32,956 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in 2,057 polling stations, 512 of which had been identified as sensitive and 511 hypersensitive. An estimated 7.33 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise.

All polling officials and materials for remote and inaccessible booths had been airlifted.

Eight booths have only a few voters ranging from three to nine. These are Sikaridong in Kalaktang constituency with 4 voters, Lamta in Pakke-Kessang (5), two booths in Anini constituency namely Punli (9) and Marambo (3), two in Hayuliang constituency--Matkrong (7) and Malogam (4), Dharampur-II under Miao constituency (7) and Upper Mudoideep in Bordumsa-Diyun constituency with only three voters.

The tightest-ever security paraphernalia has been mounted on this tiny Himayalan state in the wake of the poll violence witnessed here during the May Lok Sabha polls. The election authorities have made elaborate security arrangements for conducting smooth and peaceful poll. Besides the available police and para military forces in the state, additional 32 companies of central para military forces have been deployed in all the sensitive areas.

Three of the seats have already gone in favour of the ruling Congress as Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu (Mukto), Tsewang Dhondup (Tawang) and first timer Jambey Tashi (Lumla) were elected unopposed from Tawang district. This is the third time Khandu had been elected unopposed from Mukto.

The state government had already declared dry day from October 12 to 14 besides October 21 to 23 and declared official holiday on October 13.

Taking all measures not to allow repeat of unsavoury poll-related violence during May Parliamentary elections in the capital and its adjoining areas, the Papum Pare district administration had resolved to deal with the situation with a firm hand.

The administration had ordered the police not to spare elements trying to capture booths or attempting to damage Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Official sources said if the situation gets out of control even firing orders would not be withheld. All the border points would be sealed till polling ends.

For the first time in the state’s electoral history nine women are in the fray with more than half having bright prospects in the battle of ballots. (with input from UNI)

NSCN (IM) trying to sabotage elections in Arunachal: NCP

Wanglet receive assassination threat

ITANAGAR, Oct 12: The Issac-Muivah faction of the NSCN, active in Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh, is using every method to sabotage the Assembly elections in the state, the NCP alleged today.

''There is every chance of lapse in the election process if the security apparatus is not tightened in the state,'' NCP state president Lowangcha Wanglat told a press conference here.

Wanglat said that he was supposed to address a rally at Soha under Deomali constituency on October 10 but the rally had to be cancelled after receiving assassination threat from the outfit.

''The town commander of the NSCN (IM) called one of my relatives and threatened to kill me if I address the rally. After getting the ground reality, I was advised by the party leaders not to visit the village keeping in view the threat perceptions,'' he said, adding he had apprised the matter to the deputy commissioner, the superintendent of police and the Assam Rifles authorities. They have assured him of providing adequate security, he added.

Apprehending more incidents of intimidation, kidnapping, booth capturing and rigging by the ultras in the district, Wanglat had already lodged complaints with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) here and Election Commission of India in this regard.

''The election authorities have assured me to sensitize the entire area and to provide adequate security in the hyper-sensitive booths in both the districts,'' he said, adding outfits like Kachin Independent Army (KIA) and ULFA were operating in some parts of the state in their own capacity basically to extort money.

Besides Tirap and Changlang, terrorists are also spreading their tentacles in Papum Pare, East Kameng and West Kameng districts, Wanglat said and called upon the political parties to condemn terrorist outfits trying to sabotage the election process.

''We have requested the state government and the EC to be pro-active in all the sensitive areas of the state and Army should be called in to seal the border points if we want to witness fair elections,'' he averred.

The CEO had assured the party of ensuring all possible help to augment the security strength so that people could go for voting with confidence; he informed.

Terrorists should not be viewed as Nagaland or Assam based terrorists, the NCP leader said and demanded the state Govt to flush-out all the insurgent outfits from the state. UNI/ATNS

Two NSCN cadres arrested in a pre-election crackdown

ITANAGAR, Oct 12: In an all out effort to flush out UG cadres from the Tirap Dist, two hardcore NSCN cadres and an accomplice were arrested by security forces while they were trying to flee today.

One 9 mm pistol with 20 rounds were recovered from them. A single barrel gun and 66 rounds of ammunition were seized from the accomplice.

Yesterday night four parties were sent by the 19 Assam Rifles Battalion to block the prominent tracks from Nagaland from where infiltration was likely. At approximately 12 noon, while carrying out search between Longphong and Pongchau few suspicious persons were found in a Tata Sumo bearing Assam registration No: AS 23 C -5052. Thorough search led to the apprehension of these two Cadres of NSCN (IM). They were arrested while trying to flee from the spot.

Exact details of the affiliation of cadres, their self-styled ranks and their outfits will be known after detailed interrogation post assembly elections. Questioning from these cadres is likely to reveal the names of many of their accomplices and sympathizers.

It is another achievement in the spate of recent successes on the part of the District Police and all the Security forces operating in the District in taking proactive action against the UG organizations. It is noteworthy that this has been made possible due to the joint coordinated efforts of the State Police, Army and Paramilitary forces operating in Tirap, an Assam Rfles sources said. On Oct 4 a hardcore NSCN (IM) cadre was arrested in a joint operation by security forces from Zedua village of Longding.

Fake currencies and bike in circulation

ITANAGAR, Oct 12: 494 unregistered motorcycle have been impounded and FIRs lodged in addition to hundreds of it challaned for violation of motor vehicle act. The Chief Electoral Office in Itanagar acted only after it was alerted by the Election Commission of India.

It has been widely reported in the media that four and two wheelers are being gifted to the prospective voters and workers all across the state.

In Itanagar, 240 bikes were impounded while more than 600 booked for violation. More than Rs 24,700 was realized from the defaulters.

Meanwhile, the Lower Dibang Valley District Administration booked that 56 MV Act violators within an hour!

It is not only vehicles that have inundated the state but fake currencies as well. City Police Chief today warned that fake currencies are being circulated in the market.

Hibu Tamang said that fake currency in 500 and 1000 denominations has been detected in number of places. However no formal case has been registered.

Foolproof security arrangements in place in Tirap

KHONSA, Oct 12: Tirap District Administration and Police Authorities, in coordination with the security forces are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring a free, fair and peaceful Assembly Elections in Tirap. The Assembly Elections will be a litmus test for these agencies which had successfully conducted incident-free Panchayat Elections and Parliamentary Elections in the last one year allaying fears from all quarters. However, the Assembly Elections will be a different ballgame altogether because multiple agencies have very high stakes involved in these Elections.

In the sensitive sub-division of Kanubari, one full section of CRPF has been deployed at all critical Polling Stations. At all other polling stations, micro-observers (who are Central Govt employees) and video cameras have been installed to ensure that no false claims and counter-claims are made by the candidates after the completion of polling.

The Central Election Observer for 55, 56, 57 and 58 Assembly Constituencies A. K. Awasthi has stationed himself at Kanubari for the day of the poll to have a first hand stock of the ground situation. Additional SP, Tirap has also been deployed at Kanubari with a satellite phone to ensure easy communication with District Headquarters. In addition, several senior officers of the District Police and 19 Kumaon Batallion of Indian Army (including the Commanding Officer Col. Ashok Mishra) will be present at Kanubari throughout the day.

One additional Circle Officer has been posted in the office of ARO Kanubari for managing law and order duties. Further, sections of Assam Rifles and Army have been detailed at all critical points for area domination and patrolling. Several mobile vehicle check points / nakas have been set up which will check and record movement of each vehicle on the day of the poll.

2 Mountain Division of Indian Army at Dinjan has also asked the Army units stationed in Assam and Nagaland to keep a strict vigil along the Assam-Arunachal and Arunachal-Nagaland Border so that no infiltration of suspicious elements / UG cadres takes place along these vulnerable spots.

In addition, columns of 19 Assam Rifles have been dispatched to seal the Arunachal-Nagaland Border in the Pongchau, Longding and Kanubari circles.

A joint control room has been set up in the District involving representatives of District Administration, District Police, 19 Assam Rifles and 36 Bn CRPF for ensuring free flow of actionable intelligence across all agencies. Today, the joint control room officers rang up all the remote villages on the newly installed DSPT (village satellite phones) terminals. They had a detailed talk with all the Chiefs / Gaon Burahs to ascertain the prevailing atmosphere. It was a pleasant surprise for most of these villagers to receive calls from senior officers as till now, they had no means of communication in their villages. But now, all the remote villages of Tirap have been provided telecommunication facilities through 65 such terminals.

Absolutely foolproof arrangements are in place and preparations at a war footing are on in Tirap. It remains to be seen whether the feat of Panchayat and Parliamentary Elections can be repeated this time as well! (DIPRO)

264 Personnel to guard Lower Dibang Valley

ROING, Oct 12: The District Administration is all set and ready for smooth and peaceful conduct of Assembly Election in Lower Dibang Valley District with 62 well equipped Polling teams with security personnel already reached to their respective Polling Stations for the D-Day. Altogether 21,800 voters of the district, 10,666 in 42-Dambuk and 11,134 in 43-Roing A/C will exercise their franchise tomorrow to decide the fate of Jomin Tayeng, NCP Candidate and Roding Pertin, INC Candidate for 42-Dambuk A/C and that of Pomaya Mithi, INC and Laeta Umbrey, AITC Candidate for 43-Roing A/C respectively.

Altogether 264 Police personnel were pressed into service which includes 81 Civil Police, 41 2nd APPBN, 1 Forest and 141 CRPF Personnel are being pressed into services according to Official sources of Police.

T. Karga, SP informed that the Security arrangement has been made considering the limited Police Force available in the district. The Sector Magistrates will be accompanied by a Police Sector Officer along with four Police Personnel in case of Hypersensitive Polling Stations and a Police Sector Officer with one Police Personnel in case of sensitive and normal Polling Stations which will also acts as Mobile Patrolling Team.

Striking Reserve Police Personnel were also kept in Roing, Dambuk and Hunli Police Stations. The Striking Reserve Police will escort the EVM while retrieving of Polling teams. Platoon of D-186 Bn CRPF, Camped Roing will guard the Strong Room at VKV Prayer Hall, Roing, the police sources informed.

In order to ensure photographic coverage of the poll day, the district administration has pressed in to services of 6 Video and 8 Digital Still Cameras with Cameraman.

Sector Magistrates trained

Changlang: Changlang Deputy Commissioner, Dr S B Deepak Kumar along with the Observer, 52-Changlang South and 53-Changlang North Assembly constituencies Md. Mohsin, IAS convened a meeting with the sector magistrates to discuss the tasks and responsibilities of sector magistrate, here at Changlang today.

Kumar reiterated that the sector magistrates must ensure the polling team along with force and all the materials reaches at their respective polling station. He demanded the sector magistrate to submit OK report to the control room on poll-eve. He urged them to give assistance to the polling parties, in case of emergency, inside the polling station with procedures and advised them to maintain the purity of poll process and check all the aspects of polling during their visit to the polling stations.

6 hypersensitive in Dibang Valley

ANINI: Altogether 3, 7 40 voters will exercise their democratic rights to decide the fate of electoral luck of Congress and NCP candidates in Dibang Valley district. Of the total 44 polling stations, 6 have been identified as hypersensitive while 12 as sensitive and rest are declared as normal. Till today, no poll related incidents have been reported from the different corners of Dibang Valley district.

Meanwhile, the final batch of polling team, comprising 31 teams for Polling Stations has left today for their respective polling stations.

Meanwhile Officials deputed for the Receiving Centre has been imparted training by ERO, Talom Dupak in presence of Election Observer, M V S Rami Reddey at Community Hall. Speaking on the occasion, he urged the officials on duty of receiving poll materials should deal the polling teams with humane touch as they would be reaching the centre after days of foot trek from the remote areas. (DIPROs)

Security tightened for peaceful polling in Maio

Correspondent

MIAO, Oct 12: 50- Miao (ST) Assembly Constituency is all set for the October 13 poll with thirty-one polling stations and 17876 voters.

Returning Officer-cum- ADC Miao T Mara is expecting peaceful polling. All polling officials have reached their respective polling stations, he said.

The polling teams for Vijaynagar left Miao yesterday and are now in their respective polling stations.

They could not reach their places of duty earlier due to inclement weather.

Of the 31 polling stations, four have been identified as hypersensitive, 17 as sensitive. Seven security personnel would be deployed in each hypersensitive, three each in sensitive and two each in normal polling stations.

The returning officer informed that adequate security arrangement has been made. One Company of CRPF besides local police is also being deployed.

Mobile/striking force is also put in place to thwart any untoward incident that may occur during poll period, he added.

House burnt in Basar

ITANAGAR: A house was completely gutted down early this morning at Basar. Two four wheelers were alos burnt down. The house belonged to Pegge Nyodu, an election agent of Trinamool Congress candidate of Basar constituency. There was no one in the house when it was burnt down. An FIR has been lodged but so far no arrest has been made. According to reports, the police recovered a torch made of Toko leaves with which, the house is suspected to have been burnt down. Basar unit of Trinamool Congress while condemning the incident has demanded action from the authorities.

Chakmas to vote

ITANAGAR: 227 Chakmas will vote from an estimated 4000 population in Papum Pare. This will be the second time development induced refugees from Bangladesh will be voting. In May parliamentary elections they voted for the first time after they came to Arunachal in 1964.

It is estimated that there are more than one lac refugees in Arunachal spread across Lohit, Changlang and Papum Pare.