Date:28/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/28/stories/2008112862470300.htm

New Delhi

Over 32,000 cops to man polling booths

Staff Reporter

264 booths identified as “sensitive, hyper-sensitive”
Bomb disposal squads, ambulances to be deployed

NEW DELHI: More than 32,000 Delhi Police personnel will be deployed at polling booths across the Capital on Saturday to maintain law and order during the Delhi Assembly elections.

About 11,000 polling booths have been set up in 2,509 premises for elections to 69 Assembly seats. Of these, 264 polling booths have been identified as “sensitive” and “hyper-sensitive” and additional force will be deployed at these booths.

In addition to Delhi Police personnel, about 18,000 home guards from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana and 18 companies of paramilitary forces have also been called in to keep a close watch on election process. Also, additional mobile force of three platoon carriers per police station and police teams comprising Joint Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners of Police, Additional Deputy Commissioners of Police and Assistant Commissioners of Police will patrol the areas under their jurisdiction.

Bomb disposal squads, Delhi Police ambulances and CAT ambulances will also be deployed to meet any exigency.

Code of conduct

Taking preventive action, the Delhi Police have, meanwhile, seized 103 vehicles and 28 loudspeakers for violation of the model code of conduct since the announcement of the election schedule. Legal action has been initiated against 1,027 people, including 24 “bad characters”, and 13 persons have been booked under the Arms Act. The police have also registered 1,635 cases under the West Bengal Prevention of Defacement of Property Act and arrested 735 people. More than 15,000 hoardings, banners and posters have been removed.

Besides, 227 cases have been registered and 238 people arrested under the Excise Act. Over 12,000 liquor bottles, 2,318 halves and 45,286 quarters and 35 vehicles have been seized, the police said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Alok Kumar has been appointed the nodal officer for receiving complaints about “objectionable messages on SMS with vested interests”.