Date:09/04/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/04/09/stories/2004040903351200.htm

National - Elections 2004

Extra forces needed: poll observer

Kolkata

"Special vigilance'' is needed in those parts of West Bengal where naxalites and militants belonging to the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) "could create trouble'' during the coming Lok Sabha polls in the State. "West Bengal might need an extra 70 to 80 companies of paramilitary forces in addition to the 150 companies already assured by the Centre," the Election Commission's special observer for the State, Afzal Amanullah, said in an interview to The Hindu.

Mr. Amanullah is also aware of the State authorities' concerns over the possibility of activists sneaking into parts of the three south-western districts affected by naxalite militancy that share borders with Jharkhand and Orissa.'' There have been suggestions of a tie-up at various levels between the different naxalite outfits active in some States. This calls for greater vigilance as these groups can create terror and indulge in mindless violence'', he said. "Then there are five or six districts in north Bengal where reports suggest that KLO militants have infiltrated [following the crackdown by the Bhutan Army in December-January] and might create trouble," Mr. Amanullah added.

Referring to past elections in the State, Mr. Amanullah said that the polling percentage figures "show an awkward kind of situation''. "From 1980 onwards there has been a sudden jump in the percentages - which are 10 to 15 per cent more than the national average.This heavy turn-out of voters needs explaining to any observer," he added.

"These figures are very jarring and though some have tried to explain it by saying that West Bengal is a very politically conscious State, this is not co-related with the level of literacy," said Mr. Amanullah. "We are preparing the grounds to see that elections in 2004 take care of the factor of high percentages. If they [the figures] are normal then it is O.K. If not, we take corrective measures."

Mr. Amanullah, who has been receiving complaints from Opposition parties over the manner in which past elections were held said that "though most of the complaints are frivolous, there were some which called for serious attention''. "Statistically, there have been very significant changes in composition of winners and losers," he noted. On the question of deployment of poll personnel, Mr. Amanullah said: "Except for the three hill sub-divisions and some areas of the Sunderbans presiding officers and the second polling officer at every booth in the State will be an outsider coming from another district.". This is to ensure fairness during the polls. The exceptions were being made after considering the logistic and language problems specific to the areas.

Marcus Dam