Central forces to arrive before polls

Kolkata, Mar 15: The deteriorating law and order situation in the Maoist dominated South Bengal districts following a sudden spurt in their activities, was discussed at a high level meeting here today (Mar 15, 2006).

The meeting, presided over by State Chief Secretary Amit Kiran Deb and also attended by state Home Secretary Prasad Ranjan Roy and Director General of Police S.K.Awasthi, also discussed the details of deployment of 600 companies of Central forces in all the Maoist dominated districts of Purulia, Bankura and West Midnapore since their arrival by March 31.

Since all the three districts were going to the polls in the first phase of elections on April 17, security arrangements in each of them were being chalked out to ensure a free and fair elections, Mr Roy later told newsmen.

Refusing to elaborate the security bandobast to counter the possible threats from the Maoist guerillas and other extremist forces in the region, Mr Roy said all steps were being taken to ensure a foolproof security.

Besides the Central forces adequate number of state armed police would be posted in and around all polling booths, numbering more than 1,000 in three districts, Mr Roy said.

Meanwhile, the Centre following the state government's request for additional central security forces both before and during the polls, as many as 6,000 para military forces were being despatched in West Bengal by the Centre from different parts of the country for their deployment not only in Maosit dominated south Bengal districts, but also in North Bengal where the Kamtapuri Liberation Organisaton (KLO) and the Peoples War Groups(PWG) frequently raised their ugly heads.

Assembly elections in West Bengal have been scheduled in five phases by the Election Commission on April 17, 22, 27 and May two and eight.

UNI