Massive security blanket for violence free Panchayat polls in Assam

Massive security blanket for violence free Panchayat polls in Assam

GUWAHATI: The recent killings of five Bengali-speaking people by the suspected ULFA (I) at Dhola in Tinsukia district has prompted the Assam Police to be extra vigilant and to make arrangements to throw a massive security blanket across the State to ensure violence-free Panchayat polls next month.

The two-phase Panchayat polls will be held in the State on December 5 & 9. The police has found some pockets in Upper Assam very sensitive from the security point of view and thus intensified its vigil on movements of politicians in these areas. Sources said the police will not take any chance on security of politicians following the Dhola killings. The Assam State Election Commission (ASEC) has also requested the Assam Police to ensure adequate security arrangements across the State to enable the commission to conduct the rural polls in a peaceful manner.

The police has already identified 3665 polling stations as very sensitive. While 8243 polling stations have been identified as sensitive, 11,597 stations are being considered as safe for polling.

ASEC Commissioner H.N. Bora told The Sentinel that the commission has already had several rounds of meetings with the Assam Police so as how to conduct peaceful Panchayat polls. “We have asked the police to create an atmosphere in the State where the people can exercise their franchise without any fear,” he said, adding that the police has assured ASEC to do take all possible steps to prevent any untoward incident during the polls.

Sources said while the Assam Police personnel will themselves guard all polling stations including very sensitive and sensitive ones, a large number of personnel of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), who have been staying in the State since publication of the complete draft NRC on July 30, will also be engaged in area dominance during the Panchayat polls.

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