Biswabrata Goswami
NANDIGRAM, 31 MARCH: With all eyes set on battleground Nandigram, as many as 22 companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans have been deployed in 355 polling stations across the assembly segment in hopes to conduct a free and fair election on Thursday.
Trinamul Congress supremo and chief minister Mamata Banerjee has locked horns with her protégé-turned-rival and now a BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari.
Apart from deploying CRPF troops, the Election Commission has deployed 22 Quick Response Teams (QRT) for security in the assembly constituency. Adding to these, security in Nandigram has also been ramped up with three observers, 10 sector officers and webcams in 75 percent polling stations.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in Nandigram assembly constituency.
We want to ensure that the law and order situation is not compromised and people can vote freely without fear,” said an official.
“That is the reason for imposing the prohibitory orders, which will be in place till Friday midnight. A person who is not a voter of Nandigram will not be allowed to enter the area till the polling is over,” he said.
The order prohibits the assembly of five or more persons, besides imposing other restrictions, he said.
Besides, the EC has also started air surveillance in the area with the help of a helicopter. People who are not voters of Nandigram are not being allowed to enter the constituency in view of the sensitivity.
“Nandigram is a sensitive constituency with high-profile candidates like Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari. We want to ensure that the law and order situation is not compromised and people can vote freely without fear,” an election observer said.
Meanwhile, the central forces jawans were seen carrying out extensive route marches across Nandigram since this morning, in areas like Tekhali, Boyal, Sonachura, Tengua and Reyapara a day ahead of the high-voltage political duel.
Central forces along with the state police have already started naka checking at crucial junctions in the area, the official said.
“Vehicles are being thoroughly checked before they are allowed to enter Nandigram. No outside vehicles are being allowed in,” the official said, adding that anybody found trying to create a disturbance “will be handled strictly”.
The EC has also constituted a team of officials who will supervise the proceedings in Nandigram on the poll day, he said.
The local authorities were also asked by the EC to execute all the pending arrest warrants by Wednesday night and take people, accused in various cases, into custody, he said.
Nandigram wore a deserted look during the day with only a few shops open. Vehicles such as e-rickshaws and autos were mostly unavailable with people choosing to stay indoors.
“We want peaceful polling and no disturbance here on 1 April. People should get a peaceful environment so that they can cast their votes without any fear,” a resident of Reyapara said.
