With the first round of Lok Sabha elections due within a fortnight time, the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday directed the State authorities to initiate strict vigil along international borders like India-China, India-Nepal, India-Pakistan in close coordination with security agencies like Border Security Force (BSF), Assam Rifles (AR), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Coast Guard and intelligence wings of Intelligence Bureau and external intelligence agency.
The Commission has directed Central agencies to strict vigil along Indo-Myanmar border by Assam Rifles; Indo Nepal Border by SSB especially in areas having porous border with Nepal; Indo-Bangladesh border and western borders by BSF; Indo-China border by ITBP, and in States with coastal area by Indian Coast Guard. These directions came after the EC meeting with all States/Union Territories (UTs) to review and assess the law and order situation, prevention of illicit activities, seizures and strict vigil across inter-State and international borders in the ongoing Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies polls for a free, fair, peaceful and inducement free elections.
India shares borders with Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and China. Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian States — Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Myanmar border shares a border of 1,643 km in length and runs from the tripoint with China in the north to the tripoint with Bangladesh in the south.
Bangladesh shares a 4,096-kilometre-long (2,545 mi) international border, the fifth-longest land border in the world. India and China share a 3,800 km (2,400 mile) border — much of it poorly demarcated — over which they also fought a bloody war in 1962 while Pakistan shares 3,323 km. Recent violence and turmoil in Manipur and its ramifications for the conduct of a peaceful election were also addressed, with the EC urging for swift action to assist internally-displaced persons and ensure their participation in the electoral process, the EC said.
“The purpose of the combined review was to bring all concerned stakeholders together on the same platform for a seamless coordination and cooperation amongst officials of the neighbouring States/UTs along with central agencies guarding the borders. The Commission, in detail, reviewed critical issues pertaining to each State/UT,” the EC said in a statement.
The commission has directed SSB to keep strict watch over international borders with Nepal and Bangladesh for any illicit activity, especially before 72 hours of the poll. The poll body has also directed Assam Rifles to hold regular joint security coordination meetings with State Police, Central Armed Police Force “Ensure area familiarisation for newly inducted CAPF companies in coordination with civil administration and establish Joint Check Posts in coordination with State Police,” it said.
The commission underscored the importance of strict vigilance to curb the movement of contraband items, including narcotics, liquor, arms and explosives, across the international borders. It also sought identification of the entry and exit points for the movement of liquor and cash along the borders and curbing of illegal ganja cultivation in some States.
The commission reviewed the support from the Indian Air Force and State Civil Aviation departments for sorties to ferry polling teams in challenging regions of 11 States, including Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Directions were given for adequate security measures to safeguard political functionaries and poll candidates based on their threat perception, particularly in states like Chhattisgarh and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Top officials of Central forces, the Coast Guard, State Chief Secretaries and representatives of the Defence Ministry and railways attended the hybrid meeting.
Key issues discussed during the meeting included the need for enhanced coordination among neighboring States/UTs, diligent deployment of CAPF provided adequately in all States/UTs; logistical support for movement and transport on CAPF personnel in bordering poll going State/UT; identification and monitoring of flashpoints in border areas that may have ramifications on the election process; preemptive measures to address communal tensions based on past experiences, and the imperative of securing porous borders against illegal activities.
The commission directed States and UTs to share intelligence on criminals and antisocial elements between bordering districts. “Sealing of inter-State borders for preventing bogus voting during the last 48 hours; Action against absconders, history sheeters, criminals involved in election related offences and adequate security cover to political functionaries/ candidates based on threat perception,” the EC said in its directive.
It further said strict vigil along helipads, airports, bus stations and railway stations. “Strict action against liquor and drug kingpins; curtail flow of country made liquor; establish forward and backward linkages to plug it systemically,” the EC said.
