Shillong, Mar 19: District authorities from Assam’s Kamrup and Meghalaya’s West Khasi Hills on Thursday conducted a joint inspection of Langpih border area to assess readiness for the forthcoming Assam Assembly elections, an official said.
Langpih or Lumpi is one of the six areas of differences where both Meghalaya and Assam claim administrative control over the area pending a final resolution on the same.
The inspection was carried out by Kamrup Deputy Commissioner Deba Kumar Mishra and West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Hema Nayak, along with senior police and civil officials from both sides.
Among those present were Kamrup Superintendent of Police Subhashish Baruah, West Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Herbert Pyniaid Kharkongor, the Chief Executive Officer of Kamrup Zila Parishad and other officials.
A joint meeting was also held at Lower Lumpi with local residents to ensure that polling in the border village is conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner.
“The border areas of Kamrup district share proximity with Ri-Bhoi and West Khasi Hills districts, making inter-state coordination crucial for the smooth conduct of elections,” Mishra said.
“There are around 15 polling stations in the border areas, including Lumpi, Gamerimura and Ukiam, which fall under the Boko-Chaygaon and Palashbari Assembly constituencies,” he added.
Nayak said the meeting was aimed at ensuring all necessary arrangements are in place.
“The meeting at Lumpi was organised to ensure proper coordination and preparedness for the elections, which has helped in conducting peaceful polls in the past as well,” she said.
Officials said discussions focused on smooth conduct of voting, deployment of security personnel and facilitation of voters from both sides of the inter-state border.
The elections to the 126-member Assam assembly will be held on April 9. Votes will be counted on May 4. (PTI)
