56,000-strong security force deployed

Is it a election or ................ ????????

Mangalore (PTI): A 56,000-strong security force including 214 companies of Central paramilitary force will be deployed to provide cover in 10 districts of Karnataka that will go to the polls in the second phase on May 16.

A total of 15,100 paramilitary men and 500 Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) personnel will keep vigil in Naxal-infested areas of Karkala, Hebri, Masti Katte in Udupi district, Augumbe in Shimoga and Sringeri in Chikmagalur district to enable people exercise their franchise following a call by Maoists to boycott the polls, ADGP Shankar Bidari told reporters here.

Naxal groups have been distributing pamphlets asking people not to participate in the democratic process, claiming such an exercise will not help them.

Of the 12,271 polling stations set up for the second phase of election in 66 assembly constituencies, 3,754 have been classified as hypersensitive and 4,282 sensitive, he said.

In every constituency, approximately for every 20 polling stations, one mobile squad will be provided. In all 650 mobile squads have been formed, he said.

Besides these, each constituency will have a strike force of one KSRP platoon to deal with any untoward situation, Bidari said.

From April 1 to till today, as part of the efforts to enforce election laws, rules and model code of conduct, 1,418 criminal cases have been registered and 16,616 anti-social elements arrested, Bidari said.