Security beefed up in J-K's Poonch ahead of assembly polls

Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir), Nov 8 (ANI): Security has been beefed up in the border district of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir, ahead of the seven-phase polls beginning fromovember 17.

Soon after the announcement of the election dates, the Election Commission had said that there would be a massive deployment of security forces across the region during the polls.

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Around 70 companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed in Poonch District alone.

"The Border Security Force (BSF) companies along with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are here to help the Jammu and Kashmir Government," said A.K.S. Bhadauria, Assistant Commander, Border Security Force (BSF).

"Our aim is to help them conduct free and fair elections," Bhadauria added.

Thirty-seven candidates are going to fight for the three assembly constituencies of Poonch district, which is going to the polls in the first phase of elections.

Polling officers said that security arrangements are being reviewed on a regular basis to ensure free and fair elections in the state.

Mohammad Afzal Butt, election officer of Poonch District said that as of now the security forces are helping in peaceful campaigning of the polls and other poll related activity.

"As far as the election security is concerned, 70 companies of CRPF would be deployed. But ahead of the elections, the CRPF is being used to carry out peaceful campaigning by the various political parties," said Butt.

According to reports, committees have been constituted to monitor the enforcement of the model code of conduct at various levels.

The seven-phase polling in Jammu and Kashmir will begin from November 17 and end on December 24 to replace the Governor's rule imposed after the Congress party-led coalition government fell in July over the Amarnath shrine land transfer row. (ANI)