Chapra (Bihar), May 30
Shoot-at-sight orders have been issued against booth capturers while around 6,000 CRPF and Rapid Action Force (RAF) jawans, besides the District Armed Police (DAP) personnel have been posted at the Chapra Lok Sabha constituency, which goes to repoll tomorrow, a top official said.
District Magistrate-cum-returning officer B. Pradhan said the district administration issued shoot-at-sight orders against the booth capturers to ensure trouble-free poll in the constituency where RJD candidate and Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav is locked in a straight fight with BJP nominee and former Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy.
Sixty companies of the CRPF and RAF men were positioned at all 1157 booths declared sensitive in the constituency, Mr Pradhan said, adding that each of the companies comprised 90 to 100 jawans.
All RJD ministers, MPs and MLAs, who have allegedly entered the constituency, have been asked to leave the constituency or stern action would be taken against them, Mr Pradhan said.
Over 5,000 DAP personnel drafted from outside Sara district (Chapra) would assist the local police in maintaining the law and order, he said.
Police patrolling would be intensified between one polling station to another, Mr Pradhan said, adding that Central Government employees from outside the district were appointed as the presiding officers for fair and free conduct of the repoll.
Official sources said the Election Commission had posted a special observer for each of the six Assembly segments under the Chapra Lok Sabha seat to oversee the repoll.
Meanwhile, BJP candidate Rudy has asked the commission to directly monitor the situation in the constituency. He also accused the Mr Pradhan of being biased.
— PTI
