Strict security in Nagaland, curfew in Kohima

The Northeastern hill state of Nagaland has been put under a strict security blanket to ensure peaceful assembly polls in the state on February 26.

Deputy Commissioner Norman Putsure ordered imposition of night curfew on Monday and Tuesday from 1900 IST to 0500 IST in Kohima district, in view of reported intimidation and threats to voters by certain elements in the run-up to Wednesday's polls, official sources in Kohima said.

Over 17,000 state police personnel, home guards, village guards and additional 75 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force, nine battalions of the Assam Rifles and one brigade of the army would provide security in the state, the sources said.

There have been reports of large-scale intimidation and threats to voters by supporters of political parties, underground activists and antisocial elements from different parts of Nagaland for the past two weeks, the sources added.