Srinagar, April 20 (KNO) : For the restive South Kashmir, security agencies have fine-tuned its security plan to ensure there is no militancy or law and order challenge as there will be double layer protection system for the polling booths and separate companies for meeting law and order or militancy related issues, top officials told KNO.
They admitted that South Kashmir polls were challenge given the militancy factor involved in it. The Election Commission has announced three phased polls for South Kashmir Lok Sabha seat, first time in the history of elections and to begin with Anantnag district will go to polls on April 23.
Top security officials admitted that plan in place for Anantnag district has been fine-tuned given the sensitivities involved in the district and keeping in view the law and order and militancy challenges. “For Anantnag district, comprehensive security arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of polls,” a top police officer told KNO, adding that there will be double layer protection for polling booths and separate arrangement for law and order and militancy related challenges.
He said all sensitivities involved in the Anantnag district have been kept in mind. “We have categorized polling booths in critical and very critical categories. Security arrangements have been made accordingly,” an official, privy to the arrangements said.
Inspector General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Ravideep Singh Sahi said that a different security model has been framed for creating a peaceful atmosphere for a voter so that he or she comes to vote without any fear. “Induction and de-induction of forces at the polling stations falling in hypersensitive and sensitive category is part of the security plan for Srinagar Lok Sabha seat,” Sahi said.
He said that separate companies of forces have been kept on stand-by and alert mode for dealing with the law and order situations. “Separate teams have been deployed on ground for facing the militancy threats and challenges,” the officer said. He said adequate number of check points and mobile check posts have been jointly established by the police and the CRPF on all important road links to facilitate the movement of voters.
“There will also be a frequent patrolling of mobile vehicles of for security forces to keep any eye on suspects,” he said. The officer said that that quick reaction teams (QRTs) and road opening parties (RoPs) have been directed to remain on alert mode to face any big challenge like a militancy strike or a fidayeen attack anywhere in the poll-bound areas or on the highways. “We have set up joint control rooms in all the district headquarters for quick assistance and response to the situations of different nature,” Sahi said.
As per the officials in the state election department, 90 per cent of the polling booths in Anantnag fall in the hypersensitive category while remaining ten per cent have been declared as sensitive. (KNO)