Jamshedpur : The East Singhbhum administration is all set for the peaceful conduct of polling on December 2. DC Amitabh Kaushal visited Badsol the last police station of East Singhbhum near Odisha border and reviewed the security arrangements.
He also met the local people and instilled confidence in them. The district administration is making all necessary efforts to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls. Deputy commissioner said that that they have completed the preparations for the elections in the district.
The increased activities of ultras belonging to the banned out fit CPI (Maoist) is posing major challenge for the security forces deployed at Ghatshila subdivision to ensure peaceful polls at the Assembly seats of Potka, Bahragora and Ghatshila . Several naxal-infested areas like Musaboni, Chakulia, Dumaria lies in the Ghatshila sub-division.
About 100 companies of state and central forces have been deployed strategically after careful scrutiny of the terrain. Though the authorities refused to reveal the exact number of securitymen, but according to information more than 40,000 jawans and officers had been deployed. The bordering areas of Odisha and West Bengal have also been sealed.
Sources informed that seven to eight companies of armed forces have been deployed at the bordering areas to keep a strict vigil on the movement of ultras.
� The administration is all set toe ensure peaceful polling. We have helicopters, which will be used for air surveillance as well as ferrying poll officials. We have adequate number of reserve forces, too,� said the deputy commissioner. �Going by the situation in past ten days, it would really tough for the administration to ensure peaceful polling. The Maoists recently left behind posters warning people.
Moreover several times they have triggered blasts,� said Jay Kishan, political activist of Ghatshila. He went on to inform that the ultras are active in tribal areas like Kaladuba, Chapri and Badajundi of Ghatshila. They have been asking people to boycott polling.
The ultras are trying to create tension among villagers so that the polling exercise could be disturbed. But still the deployment of security forces has instilled confidence among the local population.
Sources also informed that the ultras might also block roads by putting trees to hamper traffic movement during polling.
Meanwhile, the returning officers have been asked to attach video teams with observers and duty magistrates to enable them to record any untoward incident at the polling stations.