Security arrangements for polling officials who will be posted in the Maoist-affected areas in Junglemahal was today reviewed by a senior election official. Huge Central paramilitary forces will be deployed at the Maoist-affected districts of West Midnapore,Purulia and Bankura, said N K Sahana,Additional Chief Electoral Officer. We have instructed the police to deploy the Central forces in the affected areas six-seven days prior to the poll day. The polling officials will be kept in the cluster point on the eve of the poll day and they will be sent to the polling booths next morning under security cover, said Sahana. The roads to be used by the election officials would be thoroughly checked by anti-landmine vehicles. Moreover,helicopters will be kept at standby for ferrying them,if the situation demands. He said the state government will give Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the official,if anyone of them is killed during election duty. The amount will be doubled if the election official is killed in a Maoist attack. If any official suffers a major injury he will get Rs 1 lakh as compensation and for minimum injury,the authority will bear the entire cost of the treatment,added Sahana. Bengals international border to be sealed ahead of polls: The border with the neighbouring countries in West Bengal will be sealed three days ahead of the Assembly polls to ensure free and fair elections in the state.
