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Uttar Pradesh: High level team to tour sensitive areas

Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow

A high level team headed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary A P Verma is taking stock of the pre-election ground situation in different parts of the state.

Meanwhile, the state has urged the Centre to provide at least 300 companies of paramilitary forces for 'smooth' conduct of the election.

This is in addition to the 145-odd companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary that was to be deployed at different places.

"In all, there would be about 50,000 policemen deployed in the poll process," an official said.

"Considering the large number of 'criminals' in the fray, it would be imperative for the administration to order fresh measures, including preventive arrests, confiscation of firearms and binding down anti-social elements by making them sign sureties," the official said.

The team comprising Principal Home Secretary Naresh Dayal, Director General of Police R K Pandit, state intelligence chief Himanshu Kumar, Inspector General of Police (law and order) A Palanivel and Chief Election Officer Noor Mohammad, have begun the exercise from Meerut division that continues to top the list of 'sensitive' areas.

Apart from reviewing the law and order situation and giving final touches to the poll security arrangements, the team would also oversee the progress in training of officials in the functioning of electronic voting machines.

The team will be touring Meerut and Bareilly on January 31, followed by Allahabad on February 4, Varanasi on February 5, Agra on February 9 and Gorakhpur on February 12.

The review of the state capital, Lucknow, will be held on February 9.

These divisions were regarded as 'sensitive' on account of past experience of communal and caste clashes.

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