CAPF, PAC TO BE DEPLOYED FOR BYPOLLS

LUCKNOW: The Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) will be deployed to ensure security during polling for Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats to be held on Sunday, a senior police official said. Addressing a press conference, DIG (public grievances) Praveen Kumar said the central government had dispatched 65 companies of CAPF for deployment in Phulpur and Gorakhpur. “Thirty companies and one platoon of CAPF will be deployed in Phulpur while 33 companies and 2 platoons will be deployed in Gorakhpur,” he said. Kumar said Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and district police would also be deployed. “Officers of the rank of ASPs, DSPs, inspectors and sub-inspectors have been sent for poll duty,” he said.The borders of both the districts will remain sealed on Sunday. “Flying squads and static surveillance teams seized Rs 10.20 lakh and large quantity of the campaign material in Allahabad. In Gorakhpur, Rs 33.65 lakh and a pistol were seized on Friday,” he said. Allahabad district magistrate and district election officer Suhas LY on Friday said elaborate arrangements had been made for Phulpur Lok Sabha by-election to be held on March 11. Addressing a meeting with poll observers and representatives of political parties here, the district election officer (DEO) said polling would be held at 2,155 booths which would be manned by 19,775 personnel. “Wheelchairs and helpers for differently-abled voters will be available at 200 polling booths,” he said. He said 4,310 ballot units, 2,155 control units and matching number of VVPAT machines will be available at 2,155 polling booths. “The administration will get the poll proceedings videographed at 127 polling booths,” Suhas LY said.