Agartala: Amidst the demand for countermanding Tripura civic polls held on Thursday alleging massive rigging and violence from opposition parties, the state police authority has assured three-tier security for polled EVMs counting scheduled for Sunday, it was reported on Saturday.
The IGP (Law & Order) Arindam Nath stated that additional two companies of CRPF were called from Silchar in view of ensuring tight security during counting. Besides, existing CRPF and BSF jawans deployed on the day of election in the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) area, one more company was deployed exclusively in and around the counting hall here and another company mobilised in North Tripura.
“As decided, the entire counting process will be brought under CCTV coverage and all three layers of security would be erected by CRPF and BSF jawans. The surrounding areas of the counting hall would be covered by state armed police and Tripura State Rifles jawans. No authorized persons would be allowed inside the counting halls,” Nath said.
He said that the police have undertaken adequate measures in the poll-bound urban areas following the allegations of threat, intimidations and a few incidents the previous night of the polling and day of poll in various areas of the state. Whatever complaints have so far been lodged, police are investigating each of them very seriously and compiled all the directions of the Supreme Court.
The state election commission officials, however, underlined according to the directions of the apex court all measures including security deployment have been made to ensure peaceful counting and security of the candidates and the counting agents of the political parties in view of the allegations of violence in certain areas.
Trinamool Congress and CPM separately moved the Supreme Court yesterday seeking action to countermand the civic polls in Tripura and also to stop the counting of votes till the SC responds.
The Left Front wrote to the State Election Commission (SEC) demanding all counting halls be under CCTV coverage, three rings of security cover and the entrance under the vigilance of the Central armed police force to prevent unwarranted persons.
The Supreme Court had to issue an interim direction on the day of polling after getting the complaints of extensive booth capture by BJP goons and forceful prevention of polling in many booths. In Agartala town, polling agents of opposition parties were beaten up and driven out of booths.
Earlier, in seven municipalities, opposition candidates were prevented from filing nominations and BJP candidates were elected unopposed.
