550 battalions of Central forces for Gujarat polls

New Delhi, Nov 13 (UNI) As many as 550 battalions of central para-military forces will be provided to Gujarat while Himachal Pradesh would get 50 battalions of security forces for ensuring peaceful conduct of assembly polls in the two states.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has arranged 550 battalions of central para-military forces drawn from CRPF, ITBP, BSF and other such forces for deployment in Gujarat where elections for 182 assembly seats would be held in two phases on December 11 and December 15.

Special police forces from other states have also been involved in holding the elections in the communally-sensitive state.

The arrangements have been made as per the directions of the Election Commission which felt that adequate security arrangements be made for the two-phase elections in Gujarat. These forces would be deployed in the state in the first week of December.

In Himachal Pradesh, 50 battalions of central security forces would be deployed for ensuring peaceful polls for 68 assembly seats. The 45.4 lakh strong electorate of the state would chose their representatives in the two phases on November 14 and December 19.

UNI