No potbellied cops at sensitive polling booths?

AHMEDABAD: Recent recruitment drives by Gujarat Police have injected some measure of fitness in the ‘bulky’ force. Sources in the state police said that they will ensure that only physically fit personnel will be deployed at ‘sensitive booths’ for the coming general election.

Some 45,000 booths in the state were categorized as ‘sensitive’ during the 2014 election and officials apprehend there will be a 10% increase in this number this time around. "This will make our work more difficult as we will need more fit cops, who will be able to handle any situation," a top government source said.

A top police official said that though there are no specific instructions from the chief electoral officer (CEO) to deploy physically fit policemen at sensitive booths, the force is trying to do everything it can to keep the law and order situation under control.

A senior police official said the state police is responsible for the law and order situation in the state and for overseeing hardcore policing duties at police stations. Central forces including the BSF and RAF battalions have been called in to assist local police during the election.

"So far four BSF companies, of 90 to 100 jawans each, have already been called in from Dantiwada in Banaskantha.," said a police official. One company conducted a flag march with local police in the Dahod

Lok Sabha

constituency on Tuesday.

A BSF official said they have also asked for police forces from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra to assist, as voting in all these states will be held in different phases.

Check posts at exit and entry points of the states are being manned by local police and SSTs (static surveillance teams) to halt the flow of illegal cash and liquor which could be used to influence voters.