SRINAGAR: As the Lok Sabha elections approach in Jammu and Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir Police along with other security forces are leaving no stone unturned to guarantee the effective utilization of security forces to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
With clear directives from the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure free, fair, and peaceful polls in the region, the police are working diligently to create a secure atmosphere conducive to the upcoming elections.
A senior police official aware of the security arrangements emphasized the importance of providing a secure environment and a level playing field for both candidates and voters.
“The police are in constant communication with the Centre to ascertain the required forces for the elections. Ensuring the optimal use of these forces is paramount in providing a safe and secure environment for the electoral process,” the official, insisting not to be named, said.
The officials reveal that extensive plans are underway to ensure the smooth conduct of Parliamentary elections in the Union Territory. Scheduled to commence in five phases starting April 19, the elections will witness the deployment of numerous police units from various battalions alongside Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), following directives from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
“Additional CAPFs will be stationed across the entire Kashmir valley and the border districts of the Jammu region. Their duties will include conducting sanitization operations and bolstering the anti-terrorism grid to preempt any potential threats that could disrupt the political environment during the elections,” said another top security official.
To ensure timely deployment, extra CAPFs will begin arriving in Jammu and Kashmir by the end of the month, focusing on high-risk zones. Furthermore, units initially stationed in Parliamentary constituencies conducting elections will be reassigned to subsequent phases, with a week’s gap between each phase to facilitate the smooth transition of paramilitary forces.
Emphasizing the strategic deployment, a senior official of the J&K administration highlighted the intervals between election phases, providing ample time for the transfer of paramilitary forces. Additionally, CAPF units will be deployed ahead of time in each Lok Sabha seat for sanitization operations to deter potential terrorist activities.
The J&K Police will mobilize its reserved battalions of JKAP and IRP for election duties.
The Election Commission of India has already approved the deployment of 635 companies of paramilitary forces in Jammu and Kashmir and 57 in Ladakh to facilitate the smooth conduct of polls. Of these, 36 companies will be designated for Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)/Strong Rooms security and logistical support at counting centers, further ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
An official familiar with the developments emphasized the critical role of deploying Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) companies to secure sensitive and hyper-sensitive constituencies across the region.
The Election Commission has granted approval for the deployment of 635 CAPF companies in both Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh regions for the impending Lok Sabha elections. Each CAPF company comprises approximately 100 personnel, strategically allocated to secure the identified sensitive and hyper-sensitive constituencies.
The responsibility for overseeing the deployment of paramilitary forces in Jammu and Kashmir lies with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), with the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order appointed as the Special Police Nodal Officer. Notably, sources revealed that security forces engaged in counterterrorism operations and other security duties will also participate in poll-related activities, highlighting the comprehensive nature of security arrangements during the elections.
Jammu and Kashmir is poised to receive the second-highest number of CAPF companies for the Parliamentary polls, underscoring the paramount importance attached to ensuring security and the smooth conduct of elections in the region. (KNS)
