Date:05/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/05/stories/2006100512800800.htm

Tamil Nadu

NSS volunteers for poll security

Staff Reporter

They will be posted as special police personnel

KANCHEEPURAM: Volunteers of National Service Scheme will be deployed for bandobast duty during the coming local body elections in the State, according to the Inspector General of Police, North Zone, K.Radhakrishnan.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, the IG said that the list of eligible NSS volunteers would be prepared by the Superintendents of Police and forwarded to the District Election Officer and Collector of the respective districts. Based on the SP's recommendation, the Collector would appoint NSS volunteers as special police personnel for four days from October 12 to 15.

Asked on what basis it was decided to rope in college students for election bandobast duties, Mr. Radhakrishnan said there was a provision in the Police Act which envisaged appointment of any able bodied young men as special police personnel to assist police force in bandobast duties.

As far as the North Zone comprising Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram and Cuddalore police districts, it had been proposed to utilise the services of 7,200 NSS volunteers for election duties. They would be posted at polling booths to assist police constables/sub-inspectors of police to regulate the electorate and maintain law and order in the premises. "They will not enter the booth unless their help is sought by the presiding officer", the IG said.

Ex-servicemen

Apart from the NSS volunteers, a total of 7,200 ex-servicemen would be deployed as usual for the election duties.

Nearly 25,000 police personnel including 18 companies of Tamil Nadu Special Police and 6 companies of special police from Andhra Pradesh Police Department would be deployed for election-related bandobast duties in the six police districts coming under the North Zone, he added.

Stating that additional police force would be posted at the polling stations, identified as trouble-prone/sensitive booths, Mr.Radhakrishnan said that nearly 31 per cent of 19,492 booths (ie. 6,050 polling stations) to be set up for local body elections in the six police districts have been identified as sensitive booths.

In order to ensure, peaceful polling on October 13 and October 15, adequate mobile police parties would be formed and striking-force would be kept ready.