Pre-poll violence: Meghalaya CEO chairs key meet of political parties in Shillong

Representatitves of the political parties also voiced their concern in view of the incidents.

The Meghalaya Election Commission has swung into action after a few incidents of pre-poll violence emerged from different parts of the Shillong Lok Sabha constituency, going to elections on April 19.

Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer BDR Tiwari chaired a key meeting with representatives of different political parties in Shillong today and had threadbare discussions on the prevailing situation.

Representatitves of the political parties also voiced their concern in view of the incidents.

Sharing details of the meeting in an exclusive conversation with Northeast Live, Meghalaya CEO BDR Tiwari said, “They (political parties) all are concerned, there is a consensus among the political parties also so that peace and tranquility is maintained at every level at any cost. They assured all kind cooperation from their end.”

Asked as to what arrangements are being made to prevent such incidents, CEO Tiwari said, “DCs and DEOs are there at the district level and are coordinating with the police, they are doing all the needful regarding security and other arrangements, the surveillance teams are also there. They will ensure the needful action at the ground to ensure peace and harmony, law and order, for free and fair election. We are making all needful arrangements, we are maintaining peace and tranquility at each and every level so all needful arrangements are being taken care of by the police and local administration.”

Regarding the deployment of CAPF companies, the Meghalaya CEO stated, “It is an internal arrangement made by the police, they are trying to deploy the forces where there is sensitivity or incidents and activities are happening.”

CEO BDR Tiwari’s response was also sought on reports doing rounds that workers of the VPP were involved in the incidents reported from Umsning and Jaiaw, where they allegedly dirupted or tried to disrupt the campaign of another political party.

“At the party level, they are very much concerned and their representatives who attended the meeting today, they have informed they want to maintain peace and harmony at each and every level. Further the matter is being looked after by the District Election Officer and his team and we are also keeping close watch over the entire situation,” BDR Tiwari said.

On April 9, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister and a senior NPP leader, Prestone Tynsong had said that his party will file a complaint with the Election Commission against the Voice of People’s Party (VPP) for creating disturbances during election rallies at various places in the Shillong parliamentary constituency.
Inputs had suggested that incidents of VPP workers disturbing rallies of other parties were being reported from Mawlai, Mairang, Jaiaw and Umsning.

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