SRINAGAR: Massive security arrangements are in place in Budgam that is going for a repoll on 38 polling stations on Thursday. Deployments have been increased phenomenally to ensure the day passes incident free.
Official sources said three district SPs and one additional SP will be deployed and given specific territories to manage the overall polling stations. “The idea is to ensure that there is no intervention in the polling station and there is no possibility of any sort of booth capturing,” one police officer said. “We will provide adequate security and confidence to the voter to exercise his right of franchise.”
Returning Officer told Kashmir Life that no polling station has been changed. “The polling stations will be located at the places they earlier existed,” Dr Farooq A Lone said. “Security was the main concern on Sunday and that is the only aspect that is being taken care of more seriously this time. Otherwise, everything is same.”
Every poling booth will have more than two companies attached for the day long exercise. The deployment of the poll staff will take place from later today.
On Sunday evening the CEO told reporters that if repoll is possible it might have to be done at 100 stations. However, the Election Commission eventually had to order repoll at the 38 stations that were recommended by the CEO’s office in Srinagar.
As per the ECI notification, the polling stations in Chadoora Assembly constituency, where re-polling is to be held include 31-Bogam Batepora (B), 32-Bogam Batepora (B), 33-Nowbug, 39-Chack Mahand-Joo-Dhar, 52-Wathora (B), 54-Zoolwah, 55-Gopalpora (A), 56-Gopalpora (B), 57-Dooniwari, 60-Kralpora (A), 61-Kralpora (B), 63-Kralpora (D), 65-Dharambug (A), 66-Dharambug (B), 87-Bagi Mehtab (B) and 98-Dharambug (C).
In Budgam Assembly Constituency, the re-polling would be held on 22- Nusurullah Pora (B), 23-Nusurullah Pora (C), 28-Galwanpora (A), 30-Haripora, 32-Wara Sangam, 40-Soibug (H), 107-Putlibagh and 120-Galwanpora (B) polling booths.
Similarly, in Beerwah Assembly Segment, the re-polling would be held on 15-Kanihama, 29-Badran (B), 34-Peerpora, 89-Sehpora and 94-Gundipora (A) polling booths.
Likewise, the re-polling would also be held on 7-Repora, 9-Gopal Saif (A), 16-Nowpora, 38-Chrar-i-Sharief (M), 86-Kanir (A), 87-Kanir (B), 90-Hushroo and 91-Wagam of Chrar-e-Sharief Assembly Segment and polling booth number 79-Kandora (B) of Khan Sahib Assembly Constituency.
Most of the eight killings that took place on Sunday were reported from Budgam. At various places, the youth locked the polling stations. At a few places, they escorted the security detail of polling stations to the nearest camps. However, at a few places, they snatched the EVMs and destroyed them. Officials said even though a number of killings were reported, the police and paramilitary forces exhibited restraint to avoid loss of life.
Various political forces, even within the ruling PDP voiced strongly against a repoll saying it will trigger new wave of violence. Separatists have already called for a day long strike.
