J&K: Tight security in border areas for December 20 polling

Jammu, Dec 10: Nearly 20,000 security personnel will be deployed in Jammu for the final phase of polling on December 20, especially in the wake of threat of infiltration by militants in the sensitive border areas.

"About 180 companies (nearly 100 personnel each) of central para-military forces and 2,448 state police force personnel shall be deployed on poll duty, " District Electoral Officer (DEO), Jammu, Ajeet Kumar Sahu said. All the polling stations of Jammu district shall have paramilitary forces deployed to meet any eventuality, he said, adding the security forces are preparedness to check any infiltration.

Eleven Assembly constituencies of Jammu go to polls along with nine others in fifth and final phase of polling on December 20. As many as 10,10,959 people including 5,23,945 males and 4,87,012 females are eligible to vote. 1224 polling stations have been set up Jammu district, which faced the burnt of Pakistan shelling and firing in August and October this year in which 15 people were killed and over 100 injured, has most of the sensitive and hyper sensitive polling station along the border line with Pakistan in seven out of 11 Assembly constituencies.

The DEO said that preparations for polling including EVMs, randomisation of polling officials, their deployment and training and plans for communication, transport, collection, distribution and counting are in place. So far, 32 complaints of Model Code of Conduct violation have been received by the DEO which have been disposed of by taking immediate action.

Observers asked flying squads and other teams to take immediate action and lodge FIRs in case government buildings, electric poles or any government property is misused for putting up of posters, pamphlets, DEO said.

As many as 33 flying squads three static surveillance teams and 11 videography surveillance teams are on the job and tracking any movement of cash and liquor.

The first two phases of polling in Jammu and Kashmir saw a record turnout of over 70 per cent. Yesterday, 59 per cent polling was held in the third phase. Voting has been completed in 49 of the 87 Assembly constituencies. The fourth and fifth phase will be held on December 14 and 20. Counting of votes will be taken up on December 23.

PTI