Four helicopters have been requisitioned for the transportation of poll materials including EVMs and personnel to the remote hill areas of Manipur. Official sources said that 28 helipads are being constructed to cover 196 polling stations in the hill districts of Chandel, Ukhrul, Churachandpur and Tamenglong.
There are many tribal villages in these areas without motorable roads, and it takes over five days to reach most of them on foot.
Police also fear that in view of the opposition to the elections by some proscribed underground organisations, there is a possibility of convoys carrying of poll materials being ambushed. Official sources said that in order to overcome these problems, the four requisitioned helicopters will be used.
There will be sorties ahead of the elections (scheduled on April 9) in the hill districts for the transportation of personnel and materials. The ballot boxes and armed security personnel will be airlifted shortly after the polling for transport to the district headquarters.
Civil and police officials are coordinating the arrangements to ensure that nothing goes wrong. Meanwhile, police say that insurgents opposing the elections may strike in the hill areas ahead of the polls. Government sources told The Hindu that adequate security measures have been put in place.
