Security forces put on high alert in Kashmir for bypoll

Srinagar, Apr 22 (UNI) Security forces were put on high alert in view of the boycott call given by various militant and separatist outfits on the eve of bypoll in three assembly constituencies in north Kashmir district of Baramulla, where voting will take place on Monday.

We have made adequate security arrangements for peaceful by-elections, Inspector General of Police (IGP) K Rajinder Kumar told UNI.

He said a number of separatist organisations have given a boycott call and militants too have threatened to disrupt the process.

We are satisfied as the election campaigning, which will end by this evening, by all contesting parties and candidates remained by and large peaceful, Mr Kumar said adding adequate paramilitary forces and Jammu and Kashmir police personnel have been deployed for smooth, free and fair elections.

He said no security personnel had been brought from outside the state for election duty as was being done in the past.

We have mobilised additional forces within the valley after making some adjustments for poll duty, he said adding the security forces have already taken positions in their areas of responsibility in these constituencies. Deployment of forces will be in addition to security personnel deployed for counter insurgency operations in these areas.

However, the Kashmir police chief said, ''We are not deploying the army,'' adding they will however, continue their anti-insurgency operations as usual.

Mr Kumar said there are intelligence inputs that militants will try to disrupt the poll process. But, he said, we do not have any specific information about any particular target. Militants used to cause blasts and target polling stations in the past elections, Mr Kumar said adding this time we have taken extra measures to keep them away and frustrate their designs.

He said security forces on poll duty have been given clear instructions to deal firmly with all those who threaten the voters.

Security forces are there to instill confidence among the voters so that they could exercise their democratic right without any fear or favour, he said.

About the sealing of three constituencies--Sangrama, Rafiabad and Pattan-- he said it was not possible to seal all the places.

However, he said we have intensified foot and night patrolling to prevent militants to infiltrate and smuggle in arms and ammunition into these constituencies from other areas.

Mr Kumar said adequate security has been provided to candidates in the fray. The poll personnel have also been provided proper security.

UNI BAS YA BD1449