The Election Commission (EC) is contemplating to record the poll proceedings with the help of surveillance helicopters in 14 Assembly constituencies in the Maoist-infested Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore districts which would go to polls on May 10. The EC will rope in three helicopters for air surveillance in Janagalmahal from
May 7. “The Army helicopters will be deployed primarily. The choppers will make the surveillance with all advanced gadgets. Even we are planning to videograph the entire proceeding from the choppers,” a senior EC official said.
The EC has made an unprecedented security plan for the Maoist-infested 14 Assembly constituencies on the day of polling. On May 10, around 650 companies of the Central paramilitary forces will be deployed in the areas which fall under the jurisdiction of these 14 Assembly constituencies. “All 3,534 polling booths in these constituencies will be manned by large number of Central forces. We have already deployed 150 companies of the Central forces in those areas to restore confidence among the voters. Our only objective is to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections,” the official added.
According to the latest vulnerability mapping report of the EC, around 2.53 lakh voters in Jangalmahal are being intimidated. In seven Assembly constituencies in West Midnapore, around 2.11 lakh voters have been apprehending attack.
On being asked on this issue the official replied, “If necessary, we will definitely escort them to the polling stations.”