Cops back Mizoram poll officer’s demand for 40 CAPF companies

Mizoram’s embattled chief electoral officer S B Shashank on Monday got the state police’s support to his demand for heavy deployment of central forces for the poll process, with a top police official saying the requirement of 40 companies was decided after due consultation with all concerned authorities.

“We go by the guidelines and instructions of the Election Commission of India for conduct of peaceful elections. This time, every assembly constituency must have independent strong room for EVM and VVPAT machines,” Mizoram Deputy Inspector General of Police (Training & Armed Branch) Joseph Lalchhuana said.

Shashank had sought deployment of 40 companies of central armed police forces (CAPF) in the state, which did not go down well with the powerful NGO Coordination Committee — a conglomerate of civil societies and student organisations — and the political parties. Accusing him of being anti-Mizo, political parties termed Shashank’s actions as “foolish” and accused him of puncturing the state’s record of holding peaceful polls.

Amid a raging controversy and massive protests here demanding the CEO’s ouster over his alleged “pro-Bru” stance and for seeking “unnecessary central forces” for the polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) Saturday announced to replace Shashank. The state has suggested names of three IAS officers to the commission for the replacement.

Mizoram Police, in-charge of the overall security of the upcoming polls, however, said 40 companies of CAPF were necessary if the assembly elections and counting for the 40 constituencies are to be conducted as per the ECI mandate. As per the ECI, each strong room has to be guarded by a prescribed strength of CAPF, said Lalchhuana, also the assistant state police nodal officer for the assembly elections. “Likewise, the ECI has instructed that every assembly constituency should have a separate counting hall to expedite the result declaration. This will again have to be guarded by a prescribed strength of CAPF,” Lalchhuana told PTI.

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