Over 14,000 CRPF personnel to be deployed ahead of LS polls

Over 14,000 central security personnel will be deployed by the Centre soon in ten states ahead of the upcoming five-phased Lok Sabha elections beginning April 16.

As part of pre-poll election duties, the Union Home Ministry has given the go-ahead for the deployment of 143 companies (about 14,300 personnel) of CRPF in ten states, including Naxal-infested states Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Bihar and Jharkhand, besides Assam.

"The force would reach the respective places by March 25 as part of the pre-poll deployment," a CRPF official said.

According to officials, 21 lakh security personnel will be deployed for the smooth conduct of the world's largest democratic exercise spread over a month.

Personnel of central and state police forces, home guards and Railway Protection Force will be mobilised to guard more than 8.28 lakh polling stations spread across the country.