Security beefed up, GCO urges people to boycott polls

Coochbehar, Apr 25 (UNI) Paramilitary forces have been deployed in this remote district of West Bengal bordering Bangladesh as Greater Coochbehar Organisation (GCO) demanding a separate state has called the people to boycott assembly polls.

They also threatened to resort to hunger strike from May 5, just three days before the fifth and final phase of elections on May 8 in North Bengal.

Police and Intelligence were constantly monitoring the situation after the GCO's threatning.

Inspector General of Police (North Bengal) Kishan Lal Meena told UNI today that they were worried about GCO's activities in the district.

About seven months ago, the GCO activists had almost paralysed the the district with a demand for negotiation with the policy makers for creation of ''Greater Coochbehar''.

The organisation has urged the people to boycott the polls for strengthening the cause of a separate statehood.

Superintendent of Police (Coochbehar) Jagmohan said security has been tightened to prevent any untoward incidents during the election.

He also said security has been beefed up in the bordering areas of Bangladesh and Asom.

Coochbehar shares about 550 Kms border area with Bangladesh and 45 kms with Asom.

In Darjeeling, which also goes to polls for the last phase of elections has altogehter 1196 polling booths across the district which has both plains and hilly terrain, according to District Magistrate Ariz Aftab.

''There are also many sensitive booths. Therefore, para-military forces would be deployed in all the booths. We are keeping in touch with the police and EC observers to sort out the sensitive booth locations,'' he added.

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