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ISI threat looms large over polls

In the run-up to the Lok Sabha and assembly polls, security measures in different parts of the country are being beefed up.

The Centre is taking stock of the overall situation, while states and union territories have put their law and order machinery on the alert. Home Minister L K Advani has cautioned the nation against possible attempts by the Inter Services Intelligence Agency of Pakistan to disrupt the electoral process to avenge the setback it suffered in Kargil.

According to official sources, the tightest ever security cover will be mounted in the Naxalite infested states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa.

Though the states have yet to work out their para-military forces requirements, for the first time about one million boys and girls of the National Cadet Corps would be deployed to assist the security forces.

Chief Election Commissioner Dr M S Gill has said that the decision to avail of the services of the NCC cadets had been taken in view of the situation in Kargil and the heavy deployment of para-miliatry forces in the sensitive border areas.

The elections to the 13th Lok Sabha have been staggered over five phases, spread over nearly a month from September 4 to October 1. Simultaneous polling will be held for the assemblies of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Sikkim. The Maharashtra Assembly also has been dissolved to make way for simultaneous polls.

In the Naxalite infested Andhra Pradesh, the police is fully geared to meet any violence unleashed by the extremists.

A top functionary of the Naxal wing said that all precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incident in trouble-prone areas were being taken in view of the post-poll violence witnessed during the last two elections in which nine people, including six CRPF men, lost their lives.

Combing operations have been intensified in these areas.

Besides these measures, anti-sabotage squads will be working round-the-clock in close cooperation with the local people and intelligence.

The state police has made a plan to block movement of Naxalites from neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Karnataka. There had been instances in the past of militants from these states sneaking in through the thick forests to disrupt the poll process.

Police sources said all candidates and prominent leaders of various parties will be provided additional security cover in the wake of the recent gunning down of former speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, D Sripada Rao.

Similar arrangements are being made in crime infested states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

According to official sources, the Bihar Government is undertaking elaborate security arrangements particularly in the extremist infested 18 districts in the central and southern parts of the state.

Bihar Director General of Police K A Jacob said that plans were afoot to deploy static forces at all polling booths besides intensive patrolling on the polling day. Steps would also be taken to ensure smooth campaigning even in the areas dominated extremists areas.

The state will also demand adequate contigents of para-military forces from the Centre, Jacob said. At present there are 76,000 security personnel in the state.

In Uttar Pradesh, the Kalyan Singh government has tightened security in the wake of increased political activity and possibility of poll-related violence. A large number of prominent politicians, including Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, will be among the candidates from this state.

The state government has also decided to mount extra security on the Indo-Nepal border to check movement of disruptive elements through this open border.

In crime-prone western Uttar Pradesh, security is being tightened in the wake of reports that ISI agents may step up its activities during the elections.

The Inspector General (Meerut zone) A K Mitra said all sensitive and hyper-sensitive polling booths will be identified in the zone by August 15 besides preparation of lists of criminals operating in various districts. He said hardened criminals will be booked under the NSA before the polls.

Intelligence agencies have been put on maximum alert to pre-empt foul designs of the ISI to unleash violence during the polls.

In Orissa, the police is taking extra precautions after reports of some activities of the People's War Group in Gajapati district, bordering Andhra Pradesh, sources said.

In Madhya Pradesh, the Digvijay Singh government has also geared up the machinery to ensure smooth conduct of polls. At least nine districts of the state are Naxalite infested and 29 police officers and employees have lost their lives during the past three years in Naxal related violence.

The State Home Minister Nandkumar Patel informed the state assembly recently that Bastar, Dantewda, Kanker, Rajnandgaon, Balaghat, Dindori, Kawardha and Sarguja were the districts facing this problem.

Besides police teams, at least 25 companies of the Special Armed Force were deployed in these districts to deal with the Naxalites.

UNI

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