Massive security deployment in Bastar for Lok Sabha Polls: 350 IAF companies, 10 choppers assigned
Bastar region ahead of the upcoming first phase of Lok Sabha elections with deployment of 350 companies of security personnel to safeguard and escort polling parties, both on foot and by road besides utilising ten Indian Air Force Mi-17 choppers assigned for polling duties. Bastar is scheduled to hold its first phase of LS polls on April 19, with 1,472,207 voters expected to cast their ballots.
Massive Security Deployment in Bastar
Voting will take place from 7 am to 3 pm across Bastar due to insurgency-related risks, except in Jagdalpur town, where the polling hours will extend until 5 pm.
According to officials at the Chhattisgarh election commission, the 350 companies of security forces will consist of over 36,000 personnel, including 249 companies of paramilitary and central armed forces already stationed in the state to counter left wing extremism.
Sources indicate that the state had requested over 500 companies, but the Election Commission of India approved 350 companies.
Enhanced Security Measures
Chhattisgarh Chief electoral officer Reena Baba Saheb Kangale told TOI that there are 102 first-time polling stations in Bastar and Kanker constituencies, marking the first instance of voting in Lok Sabha elections since independence.
Kangale said that among the first time polling stations were 11 in Bastar, five in Dantewada, Bijapur, two in Narayanpur, 38 in Kondagaon, 14 in Sukma and 27 in Kanker.
Given the insurgency-hit nature of the Bastar constituency, there are a total of 1,961 polling booths, out of
