New Delhi, September 24
With Naxal threat looming large over the forthcoming assembly polls in Bihar, nearly 70,000 security personnel of the Central forces and armed police of other states would be deployed across the state to ensure free and fair elections.
According to Home Ministry and Election Commission sources, as many as 450 companies (each company has between 1,000 to 1200 personnel) of Central paramilitary forces — CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF and SSB — will be deployed in a phased manner for the four-phased polls beginning October 18.
In addition, the Election Commission has managed to draw about 150 companies of armed police from other states for “strategic deployment”.
The Election Commission has already ensured deployment of as many as 150 companies of central forces — BSF (75 companies), CRPF (65 companies) and ITBP (10 companies) — in the Left-Wing extremism infested
areas of Gaya, Jehanabad, Madhubani, East Champaran, West Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamari, Nawada, Rohtas and Bhojpur for area domination ahead of polling.
Subsequently, another 100 companies of BSF, 95 companies of CRPF, 100 companies of CISF, five companies of SSB and 150 companies of state armed police will be deployed to prevent booth capturing, rigging and security of polling booths and counting centres.
According to EC sources, Union Home Ministry has assured to augment the forces further if the situation so demands.
Taking lessons from the past experience, the EC has scheduled the elections in such a way that a good number of Naxal-infested districts are covered in the first phase of polling itself on October 18 to ensure maximum concentration of Central forces.
Naxal-hit constituencies are also covered in the third phase of polls on November 13, which comes a good 17 days after the second phase, to ensure that central forces have adequate time to take positions.
