Forces in position for first three phases of polls

The deployment of security forces for the first three phases of polls in the insurgency and Naxal-hit states has been accomplished even as the first six Parliamentary constituencies go to polls tomorrow.
The forces have already reported to the district electoral offices and have set up their posts and defence mechanisms in these locations and polling booths which will see voting on April 7, 9 and 10 which includes 105 seats in the Northeast, Naxal-hit areas of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand among others.
"The inductions have been completed and forces have reached their designated locations. The personnel are drawn from various paramilitary forces and special units of state police departments," CRPF Inspector General (Operations) Zulfiquar Hasan told PTI.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), mainstay for anti-Naxal operations in the country, is the nodal agency for the movement of security forces contingents during polls.
Hasan along with CRPF chief Dilip Trivedi recently toured Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Bihar to oversee the induction of the security forces.
"So far the movement of the forces on poll duty have not seen any untoward incident. But we are alive to any situation. Infact, simultaneous operations are already on in various states and border areas to check the activities of Naxals," Hasan said.
Once the polls are over in these first three locations, Hasan said, the contingents, barring a few, will move ahead to provide security in the next phases.

A pooled contingent of close to 1.3 lakh paramilitary and police personnel will be deployed to exclusively cater to election-related duties.