Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Nov 23: Amidst threats to Sarpanchs and Panchs, who comprised Electoral College for election to four seats of Legislative Council on December 3, the State Government has issued directions to the police authorities for making “all possible security arrangements” for the voters on election day and thereafter besides all 37 candidates, their polling agents and campaigners.
The Government directive came amidst intercepts and threats by some militant outfits to Sarpanchs and Panchs. Though the threat perception to Panchayat members has already been there, police and para-military would be making best possible security at all polling booths, especially in the sensitive areas of the State to ensure smooth polling for the election to four seats of the Upper House from Panchayat quota, which is being held for first time in past four decades.
“Area security, polling booths protections, individual PSOs to candidates and Panchayat members in vulnerable areas and frequent meeting by local police officers with Sarpanchs and Panchs are some of the measures, which have already been discussed and taken well in advance of the elections”, official sources told the Excelsior.
Sources said the polling stations in almost the entire Kashmir Valley were vulnerable as they were located in rural areas. Erstwhile Doda district and twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch besides higher reaches of Reasi were also sensitive. Police and para-military personnel would be deployed in strength at all these areas ahead of the voting.
In addition, they added, area domination patrolling during night is being planned in the vulnerable areas for protection of Sarpanchs and Panchs.
Sources said the Government has asked Security wing of police to review threat perception to Sarpanchs and Panchs so that, if required, in some cases individual security could also be provided to the Panchayat members.
There had been intercepts as well as inputs that the militants could target Panchayat members ahead of the elections for four seats of the MLCs from Panchayat quota on December 3 to disrupt the polling process and ensure minimum turnout.
“It was in this context that security arrangements have been beefed up in all sensitive areas of the entire State and maximum protection was being made at polling stations for the elections on December 3”, sources said.
A total of 33,540 Sarpanchs and Panchs were eligible to cast vote for elections to four seats of the Legislative Council. While 15,628 Sarpanchs and Panchs would vote for two candidates in Jammu division, 17,912 Panchayat members would cast votes in Kashmir division for an equal number of candidates.
Sources said despite threat perception, the Government was still expecting a good turnout of Sarpanchs and Panchs to elect their four representatives to the Legislative Council from a total of 37 contestants-21 in Jammu division and 16 in Kashmir division. Two candidates each would make it to the Council from each division.
Each Sarpanch and Panch was entitled to cast two votes in their divisions (Jammu and Kashmir). Two candidates securing highest number of votes would be declared as winners in each division.
Sources said police authorities in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions have already decided deployment of police and para-military personnel at polling booths and others areas on and before the elections. The deployment would be in place well ahead of the elections.
The National Conference and Congress has fielded two candidates each-one each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions while PDP and NPP are the only political parties, which have fielded candidates on all four seats. BJP has fielded three candidates and BSP two.
A total of 44 candidates had filed nomination papers for four seats including 28 in Jammu division and 16 in Kashmir. Nomination papers of three candidates were rejected while four others had withdrawn in Jammu division leaving 37 candidates in fray including 21 in Jammu division.
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