Itanagar: Security agencies across Arunachal Pradesh have been put on high alert ahead of the upcoming Panchayat elections, with Governor Lt. General (Retd) K.T. Parnaik assuring that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure peace and safety during the polls.
Officials said the Governor conveyed the assurance to a delegation from the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), led by its president Bosiram Siram, during a meeting at Raj Bhavan on Friday.
The Congress delegation had expressed concerns over the security situation in the sensitive Tirap, Changlang, and Longding (TCL) districts in view of the upcoming elections.
A Raj Bhavan official said the Governor appreciated the concerns raised and reiterated that security arrangements were being strengthened.
“The Governor has sensitised the state government and instructed security agencies to ensure the safety of all during the Panchayat elections,” the official said.
Governor Parnaik stressed the need to conduct the grassroots-level polls in a peaceful, free, and fair manner, reflecting the democratic spirit of the state.
He has already held a series of security review meetings, including at Namsai, Khonsa, and Longding, with elected representatives, district administrations, police, and security agencies to assess and reinforce arrangements in the TCL region.
ALSO READ: Rs 300-crore Sohra Tourism Circuit launched to transform Meghalaya’s tourism landscape
The Panchayat elections are scheduled for next month, marking the first full-fledged local body polls since December 2020.
The State Election Commission had earlier conducted by-elections for vacant Gram Panchayat and Zila Parishad seats.
The APCC, in a statement, said the Governor gave a patient hearing and assured that he would take up the matter with Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Chief Secretary Manish Gupta, and DGP Anand Mohan to ensure the deployment of adequate security.
During the meeting, APCC working president Techi Tagi Tara and general secretaries-cum-spokespersons Chera Taya and Kon Jirjo Jotham were also present.
