Jalpaiguri poll officials demand forces in all booths to beef up security

Polling personnel in Jalpaiguri district Monday demonstrated before the office of the District Election Officer (DEO) demanding deployment of Central forces in all polling booths in the district to ensure their security. Expressing concern over possible disturbances during the polling process on April 18 in the second phase, agitating polling personnel urged the concerned authority to look into their demand and act accordingly.

"Without sufficient security measures preferably with the deployment of 100 per cent deployment of Central forces we shall not be able to join election duties," they said. Similar demonstration was also staged at Phanindradeb Vidyalaya and Jalpaiguri Zilla School, where polling personnel were in a session with the authority.

Agitation was also held at Malbazar and Moinaguri demanding adequate steps to secure polling personnel. The agitation was withdrawn only after the police intervened and DEO and District Magistrate Shilpa Gourisaria assured the polling personnel to provide them with adequate security during the poll.

(With inputs from agencies.)