Government asks Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir to beef up security for polls

The Centre has asked the Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir governments to step up security of prominent politicians and rally areas with reports of the states being possibly targeted by terrorists in the run up to the elections.

Based on intelligence inputs, the Home Ministry told the Jharkhand government that banned terror group Indian Mujahideen may try to target some politicians during the Assembly elections to disrupt the poll process.

The advisory also suggested that the banned CPI(Maoist) may also try to attack political rallies and security forces engaged in election duties in Jharkhand, official sources said. In a separate communication, the Home Ministry conveyed to Jammu and Kashmir government to tighten security of politicians and their rallies as militant groups may try to sabotage the poll process.

The Ministry told both the poll-bound states to deploy adequate forces in sensitive places, rallies and provide security to political leaders, sources said. Assembly polls in Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir will be held in five phases between November 25 and December 20 and counting of votes will take place on December 23.