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Rediff.com  » News » Indo-Nepal borders to be sealed for 3rd phase Bihar poll: Tandon

Indo-Nepal borders to be sealed for 3rd phase Bihar poll: Tandon

Source: PTI
October 29, 2005 03:07 IST
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Chief Election Commissioner B B Tandon Friday said Indo-Nepal borders in Bihar would be sealed for the third phase of polling in the state on November 13.

The Election Commission and the administrative machinery were fully geared to ensure fair, free and peaceful poll in the 72 assembly constituencies in Bihar in the third phase.

"The authorities of districts bordering Nepal are in touch with their Nepalese counterparts discussing measures for sealing the porous borders on the polling day," Tandon said while replying to a specific question on initiatives to check influx of trouble-makers, particularly naxalites from across the border to disturb the polls.

The border districts are east and west Champaran, Sitamarhi and Madhubani. The porous Indo-Nepal border is considered an easy route for Maoist rebels, waging a war against monarchy in the Himalayan kingdom, whose links with naxalites of Bihar have already been established.

The Communist Party of India-Maoist has already called for boycott of Bihar polls.

Tandon said Bihar's borders with neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal would also be sealed during the third phase of elections.

Referring to the meetings he along with the Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy had with the commissioners, inspector generals, deputy inspector generals, district magistrates, superintendents of police and other officials to take stock of the poll preparations, Tandon said the both the commission and the state machinery were fully geared to conduct free, fair and peaceful poll.

"We are fully satisfied with the arrangements made for the third phase poll," he added.

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