THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, February 18: Security concerns have taken centre stage ahead of the Medininagar Municipal Corporation mayoral election, with BJP-supported and Congress-supported candidates submitting separate representations demanding enhanced security for polling stations on February 23.
BJP Candidate Seeks Special Security for 41 Booths
BJP-supported mayoral candidate Aruna Shankar has sought ‘Vishesh Surakcha’ (special security) for 41 polling stations, including booths set up in three madrasas, one Urdu Girls High School, one BCC Mission School and other government institutions. A total of 36 such booths fall within these institutions.
A written representation, signed by Aruna Shankar and listing 41 polling stations, was submitted to the District Election Officer (Municipality), Sameera S, and the SP, Reeshma Ramesan, on February 17.
BJP spokesperson Sheo Kumar Mishra said the representation was handed over in the presence of the party’s sitting MP and MLA. “We want free and fair voting,” he said.
Medininagar Municipal Corporation has 132 polling stations.
Congress Camp Demands CRPF Deployment
On the same day, K.N. Tripathy, former minister and father of Congress-supported candidate Namrata Tripathy, submitted a separate representation seeking deployment of the CRPF at 16 polling stations identified by his camp as hypersensitive.
Tripathy alleged that fear and intimidation were being created among voters. “A person running an organised crime network is pulling the strings of fear and coercion, intimidating electors,” he claimed. He added that such tactics had never been seen in previous civic elections.
The Congress leader also demanded the installation of CCTV cameras at hypersensitive polling stations. He submitted the representation in the presence of the district Congress president Bimla Kumari.
Administration’s Stand
While the BJP-supported candidate has sought special security for 41 booths, the Congress camp has asked for CRPF deployment at 16 booths. In contrast, an official note of the district administration lists 13 polling stations as hypersensitive.
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District Election Officer Sameera S confirmed receiving both representations. “Two representations have been submitted with almost identical demands for Vishesh Surakcha or CRPF deployment on February 23. It is for the State Election Commission to take a decision,” she said.
SP Reeshma Ramesan said no CRPF company is currently available in Palamu. “Deployment of CRPF is a decision to be taken by the Police Headquarters (PHQ),” she added, assuring that Palamu police are committed to ensuring free and fair elections with adequate security arrangements.
Deputy Development Commissioner Md Jawed Hussain said sector magistrates have been directed to act on complaints received through video calls, and training of polling personnel and magistrates is in full swing.
Confidence-Building Measures
On Wednesday, senior officials, including DC Sameera S, SP Reeshma Ramesan, DDC Md Jawed Hussain and Deputy Election Officer (Municipality) Ratan Kumar Singh, inspected polling stations at Kacharwa Tola, Bahlolwa and Pahari Mohalla to assess preparedness and the election atmosphere.
Administrative sources described the inspection as part of a confidence-building measure (CBM).
With campaigning entering a heated phase, the mayoral contest in Medininagar has intensified, with security arrangements emerging as a key issue ahead of polling day.