The Jammu and Kashmir Police are gearing up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections by mobilizing their personnel starting April 19. Additional Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) will be deployed in the Kashmir valley and the sensitive Poonch and Rajouri districts of the Jammu region to bolster security measures and reinforce the Anti-Militancy Grid, aiming to prevent any disruptions by militants during the electoral process.
While the entire Kashmir valley remains a high priority for security operations, officials emphasize the importance of the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. Despite a relatively calm year so far, the memory of deadly terrorist attacks in these regions underscores the need for heightened vigilance.
The majority of personnel deployment is expected to reach the valley by the end of the month, strategically positioned to sanitize vulnerable areas. The elections for five seats in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in five phases, highlighting the extensive security arrangements required for a smooth electoral process.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police will also mobilize reserved battalions for poll duty, excluding those engaged in anti-militancy operations. Additionally, the Election Commission of India has sanctioned a significant number of paramilitary force companies for the region, reflecting the commitment to ensuring a peaceful election despite the persistent threats posed by Pakistan and terrorist outfits like LeT and JeM.
The upcoming polls hold significance as they mark the first Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir since 2014. Among the allocated paramilitary companies, a portion will be dedicated to safeguarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)/Strong Rooms and overseeing counting centers to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
In the electoral arena, political parties are gearing up for a competitive contest. The Congress and the National Conference (NC) are poised to contest seats in Jammu and Udhampur and Kashmir, respectively, as part of a seat-sharing arrangement. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims to strengthen its presence in the Kashmir valley by contesting all five seats, highlighting the strategic importance of the region in the upcoming elections.
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