32 polling booths, stations declared hypersensitive

The zila parishad elections are scheduled for December 14 for which arrangements are being made to conduct these in a free and fair manner. Since Ludhiana is the biggest district, adequate force is required on the election day, and the counting day on December 17. Going by previous records and the number of voters, the police have identified 32 polling booths and stations in the district as hypersensitive.

Talking to The Tribune, SSP Ankur Gupta said sensitive and hypersensitive areas have been identified, where extra force would be deployed as per the norms. At the same time, he said the authorities could not disclose the names of sensitive or hypersensitive stations/booths simply as it would sensationalise the situation. “We have identified the spots and extra deployment of force as per norms will be done there. These are identified keeping in mind previous records, number of voters, etc,” he said.

Besides, 333 polling booths and stations are declared sensitive in the district.

One of the police officials said in Raikot, Jagraon, Mullanpur Dakha and Samrala, there are a few areas where there could be tension as tempers run high during the elections. “In previous elections also, many of these areas witnessed brawls and scuffles. Hence, extra police force will be deployed there,” the official said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain said everything was under control and the entire polling staff were on duty and vigilant to conduct the poll in a fair manner. ADC (Rural) Amarjit Singh Bains, who is also the nodal officer, said in many zones, seats were reserved for women candidates. These zones include Khirniyan Zone 5, Mattewara Zone 6 and Chakk Sarwan Nath Zone 7, Narangwal (SC Women) Zone 11 , Pakhowal Zone 12 , Hans Kalan Zone 14, Manuke Zone 16, Sidhwan Kalan (SC women) Zone 17, Hambran Zone 20, Mohi Zone 21, Dhandran (SC Women) Zone 23 and Alamgir Zone 24.