Muzaffarpur police on guard to thwart post-election violence

MUZAFFARPUR: Security has been tightened in four out of 11 assembly constituencies in Muzaffarpur district due to apprehensions of violence by the supporters of rival candidates after announcement of election results or lead in these constituencies on Sunday.
Giving this information to TOI, Senior SP Ranjeet Kumar Mishra said a three-tier security arrangement has been made by the district administration for the counting of votes beginning on Sunday morning.The strong rooms where EVMs have been kept are already under the protection of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) whereas two platoons of BMP have been deployed in the adjoining areas to protect the counting centre from any attack.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) have been engaged to take out flag marches in sensitive areas of the district to spread a sense of protection among the general masses in case of any law and order problem, the SSP said. Besides, special effort has been taken to preserve peace in the town area where rumours can be spread in a bid to fish in troubled waters. Police have also deployed cops in plainclothes to keep a watch from close quarters and intervene in the nick of time. All police stations have been cautioned to prevent victory processions and gatherings of people after election results, particularly in those four areas.
According to district election office here, out of 29.58 lakh voters in the district, roughly 61.02 % voters cast their votes in the district on November 1 to elect 11 MLAs. Altogether 192 candidates had contested the election.