Date:09/11/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/11/09/stories/2002110906100100.htm

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Law will be enforced rigidly in Gujarat: CEC

NEW DELHI NOV. 8. In a warning to politicians seeking to exploit religion for political gains, the Chief Election Commissioner, J.M. Lyngdoh, has said the Election Commission would enforce the law "rigidly" in Gujarat in the coming Assembly elections.

"Absolutely, people who use that sort of language should be prosecuted. We have to hasten that process", Mr. Lyngdoh said in the "Court Martial" programme on SAB TV anchored by Karan Thapar.

He was replying to a question on how the Commission would ensure trouble-free elections in Gujarat when there were press interviews and statements by leaders on communal lines.

Asked specifically whether he was talking about people like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader, Praveen Togadia, the CEC said "it could be anybody. Whoever it is".

To a question whether the Commission could use its authority to send out a message to contain such speeches and statements, he said "yes. We will do that."

Stating that the Commission had been routinely doing that in every election, Mr. Lyngdoh said the Commission would closely monitor all election speeches and enforce the law "rigidly".

Asked to comment on reports that the Union Home Ministry had declined the EC's demand for 400 companies of Central paramilitary forces for the conduct of free and fair polls in Gujarat, he said the issue had been settled with a discussion with the Home Secretary. "It could be 425 or 375. It should be all-right".

The Home Secretary, N. Gopalaswami, has held discussions with the CEC and the other two Election Commissioners, T.S. Krishnamurthy and B.B. Tandon, and assured that adequate forces would be made available "well in time" for the Gujarat polls.

The Home Ministry has already issued instructions for the deployment of 200 companies (about 20,000 personnel) of central paramilitary forces for confidence building measures and for area domination in the riot-affected districts. They would be available for deployment by November 22.

The Ministry had earlier said that further requirements would be met a week ahead of the polls. — PTI.