Punjab to deploy 200 companies of central forces for assembly elections

PATIALA: Keeping security among the voters and to hold free and fare elections in state, election commission has deployed 30 companies of Central industrial security force (CISF) at various palaces in the state, said police sources. 

Police sources said that about 200 companies of Para military forces like Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Rapid Action Force (RAF), West Bengal Police, Reserve battalions of Punjab Police, Rajasthan Police likely to be deployed in Punjab. 

The deployment of Security Forces has been demanded by main opposition party Akali Dal for free and fare elections particularly after Beas firing in which one SAD worker was killed.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) general secretary Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday demanded the deployment of Para military forces in Punjab for free and fare elections as the Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh has been patronizing such elements who wanted to disturb peace in the state. 

In Patiala district too over 20 poling stations have been earmarked as hyper sensitive where as about 410 polling stations have declared as very sensitive and sensitive out of total 708 poling stations where 1168 polling booths will be established. The administration has sought about 20 companies of Para military forces for Patiala district to maintain peace and law and order. 

Six companies of CISF have been reported for their duties in the district. Two have been deployed in Patiala from where the Punjab chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh has been seeking re-election and one each in Rajpura, Ghanour, Dakala and Samana assembly constituencies. 

Four Companies of CISF each have been deployed in Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts.

Besides this Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India has provided security cover of CISF to Parliament member of Lok Sabha and general secretary of SAD Sukhbir Singh Badal Sukhbir has came under the z plus security cover.

The deputy speaker of Lok Sabha and Akali MP Charnajit Singh Atwal has already given CISF cover.