Agartala, Feb 02: A total of 400 companies of central forces will be deployed in Tripura to ensure free and fair assembly elections later this month, a senior police officer said.
Elections to the 60-member assembly will be held on February 16.
“Around 200 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) may be arriving right here by the first week of February for area domination, patrolling, and flag march apart from counter-insurgency operations,” Assistant Inspector General (Law & Order) Jyotishman Das Chowdhury said.
As per the sources, a record number of over 43,000 security personnel, comprising Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), Tripura State Rifles (TSR), and state police might be deployed to provide security for the February 16 assembly polls in Tripura.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has agreed to provide 400 companies (30,000 security personnel) of CAPF for fair and violence-free assembly elections.
Also Read: Arunachal Pradesh: Reh celebrated with traditional gaiety, CM hails rich culture
Besides the CAPF, comprising Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, around 8,000 TSR jawans, and over 5,000 Tripura police personnel would also be deployed.
“In total, 400 companies of central forces will be deployed in the state to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections. This will be in addition to the state’s security personnel and BSF jawans who guard the India-Bangladesh border,” the officer said.
Out of the 3,328 polling booths, 1,100 have been categorized as ‘sensitive’ and 28 were identified as ‘critical’.
The Election Commission has already launched a ‘Zero Poll Violence’ campaign in the northeastern state.
In the last assembly elections in 2018, 300 companies of central forces were deployed in Tripura.
