Police, paramilitary officers meet to strategize poll security arrangements

Against the backdrop of the recent Maoist attack in Chattisgarh, senior police and para-military officers of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha states today met to discuss strategies on ensuring free and fair Lok Sabha polls slated next month.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, DIG (Kolhan) Md Nihal said the officers of bordering states discussed strategies to ensure peaceful and fair elections and inculcate confidence among the electorate.

The issue of poor telecommunication network in some areas was discussed and it was decided that the mobile service providers would be asked to strengthen their network channels, he said.

The officers discussed all issues related to the elections including exchange of information about Maoists and criminals, exchange of list of warrants and strengthening co-ordination, the DIG said.

He, however, did not divulge how many companies of forces would be deployed during the elections.

"We have more than adequate forces for election duty and deployment of forces will be done accordingly," Nihal said, adding "We have also directed the security personnel to take all precautionary measures particularly after the Sukma incident (Chattisgarh)."

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