Security plan for phase 2 polls

TT, 17 April 2019, Raiganj/Jalpaiguri: Around 200 companies of central paramilitary forces will be deployed in the Parliament constituencies of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Raiganj, where elections would be held during the second phase on April 18.

Vivek Dubey, the special police observer appointed by the Election Commission in the state, reached Raiganj on Tuesday. He held talks with the administrative and police officers and also met delegations of political parties and some voters.

"In total, 194 companies of paramilitary forces will be deployed in the polling booths and for patrolling in the three Parliament constituencies on Dev addresses a public meeting in Raiganj on Tuesday. Picture by Kousik Sen April 18. We want to ensure that there is free and fair election so that all voters can exercise their rights," said Dubey.

During his visit, the special police observer met one Rani Kar, a nonagenarian and wife of a freedom fighter based in Raiganj. She requested Dubey to look into the security of voters. A few days ago, Rani, along with some residents of the town, had participated in a human chain event demanding that voters be provided with security.

Sources in the North Dinajpur district administration said central forces would be deployed in the district in around 80 per cent of the booths while in Jalpaiguri, they would be deployed in around 75 per cent booths.

In the remaining booths, there will be personnel of state police while central forces would be engaged in mobile patrolling duty, said sources.

"The vigilance at inter-district, inter-state and international borders will also be intensified to upkeep law and order in these constituencies," said a source.