| 30,000 paramilitary troopers requisitioned for peaceful polls | | Police to crackdown on 'troublemakers' ahead of Elections | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Mar 20: While the authorities in the state are gearing up for holding peaceful Lok Sabha polls, the police is likely to detain 'troublemakers' across the Valley, who had a history of being involved in stone throwing and clashes.
Sources said the police authorities had been asked to identify 'troublemakers' immediately in their respective areas, so that they were taken into preventive custody for the smooth conduct of the polls. The state had already sought an assistance of nearly 30,000 paramilitary troops who would help the police and other security agencies for holding peaceful polls and also carry out counter-militancy operations, area dominance and handle law and order problem.
Apart from apprehensions of militant violence, there is always a possibility that separatists might try to create law and order problem.
While a decision on top separatists' detention would be taken at a higher level, troublemakers and separatist leadership at the districts level would be taken into preventive custody before the polls, said a senior police officer.
The hardline separatists have already called for a poll boycott and decided to carry out boycott campaign during the elections.
South Kashmir's Anantnag constituency is the first Lok Sabha seat in the Valley to go to the polls on April 24followed by Srinagar and Baramulla.The sources said police officials in sensitive areas of Baramulla, Sopore, Bandipore, Palhalan, Hajin, Trehgam (in north Kashmir), Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Anantnag (in south Kashmir) and various areas of the old city had been told to ensure that those who had a history of being involved in stone throwing should be taken into preventive custody. "There are some grey areas, which are known for law and order problems. Being a mega event, we will create an environment so that electors come out to vote in a free and fair manner.
Nobody will be allowed to prevent people from exercising their franchise, which is the right of an elector," a senior police officer said. |
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