Shillong, March 9 : The Meghalaya government has sought 33 additional companies of central paramilitary force for the smooth conduct of Lok Sabha elections.
The state will go to the polls in the first phase of elections on April 16. It has two Lok Sabha constituencies, Shillong and Tura, both reserved for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Tribe.
The security requirement was communicated to the state deputy election commissioner from Delhi, Alok Shukla, who had a meeting with the state election department officials, deputy commissioners and superintendents of police today.
State chief electoral officer P. Naik said though Meghalaya had asked for 33 companies, the Election Commission would assess the requirements. The state hopes to get the additional forces to maintain law and order during the polls, he added.
There is recurring boundary dispute in the state’s West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi districts, adjacent to Assam, while the presence of militants is a cause for concern in Garo Hills.
East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner B. Dhar has imposed Section 144 CrPC, preventing political parties, their workers, candidates and supporters from defacing the walls of buildings.
In a separate order, the district magistrate has prohibited carrying of arms and ammunition in East Khasi Hills.
Both the orders adhere to the model code of conduct.