Paramilitary forces deployed in Darjeeling

Darjeeling, Apr 24 (ANI): Authorities in Darjeeling, start flowing in paramilitary troops in the town, to put in place, tight security arrangements ahead of the third phase of polling slated to be held on April 30.

Till now, two companies of paramilitary forces have been sent to the region while six more companies will be deployed on the election day. Authorities feel that deploying paramilitary forces will instill confidence among voters.

"There is a psychological fear in their minds that we want to remove. We are going to nooks and corners telling people that their votes will be secret and no one will come to know who they are voting for. Please caste your vote without fear," said Kunda Lal Tamta, Inspector General of Police, North Bengal.

Darjeeling has 1348 polling booths.

There is already tension prevailing in the region with the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), an organisation which is demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland to be carved out of West Bengal, has announced its boycott of the general polls.

There is no single national issue in this election and the campaigning has been marked by personal attacks and rhetoric. Parties are wooing voters with populist measures such as food subsidies and a promise of better governance and security. (ANI)