Agartala, March 18: With the Election Commission of India (ECI) declaring the election dates for Tripura and the nation at large, security forces have intensified their efforts in the state to ensure a secure environment for voters. Collaborating with state police, additional central paramilitary forces have bolstered security measures, particularly in border areas.
Superintendent of Police (SP) for West Tripura district, Dr. Kiran, leading a flag march in the Joynagar bordering area, stated that outreach activities with local communities have increased significantly since the announcement of the election dates.
Preemptive measures such as preventive arrests, anti-liquor raids, and road patrols are underway to maintain law and order.
He emphasized the importance of confidence-building measures, highlighting meetings with local leaders and residents to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
The SP said that focus remains on border security with enhanced patrolling and establishment of checkpoints.
Coordination meetings with the Border Security Force (BSF) have been conducted at various levels.
He added that additional central paramilitary forces, including the CRPF and BSF, have already arrived, with more expected before polling day, supplementing the Tripura State Rifles (TSR). Moreover, vehicle checks are being conducted regularly to prevent the movement of illegal items.
In the upcoming elections, Tripura will witness polling in two phases for its two parliamentary constituencies – East Tripura and West Tripura.
The Tripura West seat is scheduled for April 19, while voting in the Tripura East seat will take place on April 26.
The electoral landscape in Tripura is marked by a contest between the NDA, comprising the ruling BJP, IPFT, and new ally TIPRA Motha, and the INDIA block, formed by erstwhile rivals CPIM and Congress, uniting against the common opponent, BJP.
Tripura, nestled amidst a sprawling 856 km international border with Bangladesh on three sides, poses a formidable challenge for security forces, especially during elections. Their primary task is to prevent any attempts of trans-border illegal movements that could potentially disrupt the peace and integrity of the polling process.
