By TC News Desk
Agartala, February 07, 2023: Chief Electoral Officer Kiran Gitte has appealed to all concerned, from political parties, to show as much restraint as possible ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections.
In a press conference at the conference hall of the District Magistrate’s office of West Tripura this evening, Chief Electoral Officer Kiran Gitte said that the Election Commission is determined to make “Mission Zero Poll Violence” a success. Appropriate measures have been taken to ensure that no untoward incident takes place around the elections. Necessary action is being taken as soon as any incident occurs. Stating that the situation will be dealt with with a strong hand, he requested everyone not to take law and order into their own hands.
CEO said that as security has been provided to the contesting candidates in the election, security of the election agents of the candidates is also being monitored. He said central paramilitary forces would be deployed in all the 3,337 polling stations in the state. Double force will be deployed at polling stations that take more than 30 minutes to reach. Double security forces will also be deployed in border and security sensitive areas.
He said that three-tier security measures have been taken for the security of the polling work. Stating that more paramilitary forces have started arriving in the state since yesterday, the Chief Electoral Officer said security forces will be deployed as per the situation.
The state currently has more than 250 naka points, which are open 24 hours a day. The law and order situation is being monitored since August last year ahead of the elections. Necessary measures are being taken according to the situation.
He said, since that time, arrest warrants have been issued against 1,610 people under non-bailable clause. Border Guards have been directed to extend assistance to voters living across the barbed wire border between India and Bangladesh so that they can exercise their right to vote on February 16. He said that so far the list of 139 such voters has been given to BSF.
State Police Nodal Officer and State Police IG Crime GK Rao, who was present at the press conference, said that since August 22 of last year, 42 thousand 700 kg of ganja has been recovered in various places in the state. Besides, 60 thousand bottles of Phensedyl, 1 lakh 22 thousand Yaba tablets, 2 thousand grams of heroin were recovered. In all, drugs worth Rs 27.35 crore have been seized.
He said that 62 different incidents have been recorded since the announcement of the election till February 5, 54 people have been arrested. Notices have been issued against 314 persons so far.
