75,000-80,000 paramilitary troops for assembly polls in 5 states

New Delhi, March 4: 75,000 to 80,000 paramilitary personnel will be deployed to provide security during the forthcoming assembly elections in five states -- West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.

"Peak request is around 750 to 800 companies. We will meet the demand," Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi told reporters here today. One company of a paramilitary force comprises around 100 personnel.

Mehrishi said at any given time, the number of paramilitary personnel on poll duty will not be higher than the figure given.

Polls in the five states are expected to be held in April-May. Apart from the central paramilitary personnel, police forces of all states will be deployed in the respective states to ensure free and fair polls.

The Election Commission has already said that central paramilitary forces will be deployed in all polling stations well in advance and they will be used for area domination and confidence-building measures.

EC-appointed observers will be looking into the booth-wise and area-wise deployment of the central forces. Central paramilitary forces are expected to be deployed at every booth and supervised directly by the Election Commission.

Sources said there would be a minimum 2 to 3 layers of security to ensure that voters reach the polling station without any threat or intimidation.

PTI