Enhanced Security for Bihar Assembly Polls with Over 4 Lakh Personnel

Patna, Oct 9 (PTI): Over four lakh security personnel will be deployed across Bihar to ensure free and fair assembly elections, according to Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar. For the first time, all security forces are set to reach polling booths in remote areas via road rather than being heli-dropped, as previously done. This shift comes following considerable advancements in the state's road infrastructure. Kumar emphasized that no polling stations will require relocation amid a noticeable reduction in Naxal activities. "Over four lakh security personnel will be involved in Bihar's assembly polls," Kumar shared with PTI. Out of these, about 500 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are already engrossed in pre-election duties. An additional 500 CAPF companies will arrive shortly, with another 500 expected by the third week of October. A company typically constitutes around 100 personnel. Apart from the central forces, 60,000 Bihar Police personnel, 2,000 personnel from reserve battalions of other states, 30,000 Bihar Special Armed Police personnel, more than 20,000 home guards, and around 19,000 newly recruited constables, currently in training, will also participate in election duties. Additionally, around 1.5 lakh 'chowkidars' (rural police) are slated to be engaged. DGP Kumar highlighted the marked improvement in road connectivity, particularly in rural areas, thus eliminating the need for heli-dropping of security forces. This decision aligns with a substantial decrease in Naxal activities attributed to robust security operations, allowing for the retention of all polling booths this time around. "Our commitment is to ensure complete voter safety in sensitive regions," Kumar assured. Bihar Police's Quick Response Teams (QRTs), including commandos from the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the Special Task Force (STF), will stand by to address emergencies and critical situations effectively. "Furthermore, a VIP security pool has been established in every district to guarantee comprehensive security for VVIPs during the assembly polls," added the DGP, noting that personnel within this pool have undergone specialized training from the National Security Guard (NSG). The assembly elections will transpire in two phases, on November 6 and 11, with vote counting scheduled for November 14. The state comprises 90,712 polling booths, with 13,911 situated in urban areas and 76,801 in rural parts.