Imphal, March 23: Amidst trickling in of additional central security force for election duty all police stations have been alerted and instructions issued to promptly relay information to Police headquarters so as to foil designs of disruptive elements during the two phase polling in Manipur.

According to police sources, the hill district polling stations are more vulnerable compared to the valley areas and concerned police stations at the district headquarters and sub-divisions have been informed to stay alert.

Process are also underway to disseminate information to officials of the newly arrived security forces of the BSF and CRPF battalion on the prevailing law and order situation as well as modus operandi of the insurgent groups operating in Manipur, informed the source.

The security measures have been necessitated following intelligence reports of State agent that some armed organizations are likely to cause disturbance to derail smooth polling especially in the remote hill areas where influence and command of banned outfits could not be undermined, it added.

Out of 200 additional companies of the BSF and CRPF demanded by the State Government the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved release of 67 battalions to man polling booths and strategic locations during the April 20 and 26 polls.

On the other hand, Chief election Commission had already intimated MHA to deploy central security forces in the North East region well ahead of poll schedules to acclimatize to the prevailing situations and minimize poll related violence.

The Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy arriving on a two day visit to Manipur tomorrow is likely to brief concerned State officials regarding recent changes in election process.

Mention may be made that 14 IAS officers from Manipur have been appointed as election observers and already briefed at New Delhi on March 19 on the changes during the meeting with Chief Election Commissioner at Vigyan Bhavan.

During his stay in Manipur Gopalaswamy would convene a meeting of all the political parties in Manipur at the Raj Bhavan and preside over a meeting of DCs and SPs at the conference hall of the Old Secretariat later in the afternoon the same day.

At 3.30 pm the election Commissioner is scheduled to meet the Chief Minister, DGP and Chief Election Officer at the Mini Conference hall of the Secretariat to discuss on the prevailing law and order situation.

In the same evening, Gopalaswamy will witness a cultural programme at the banquet hall of 1st Manipur Rifles.

He will leave for Guwahati at 9.30 am of March 25.

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