New Delhi, Nov 25, : .The Supreme Court ordered the Centre to send two additional companies of central paramilitary forces to Tripura in order for municipal elections that were held that day. It stressed that paramilitary forces should be present at every polling station to ensure fair and free elections.
A bench comprising Justices D.Y.Chandrachud Surya Kant and Vikram Nath formed a bench.
The bench stated that the Tripura DGP, Secretary in the Department of Home Affairs should immediately examine if there is an additional requirement for further deployment.If so, they should communicate it to Department of Home Affairs.
General Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General, assured the court that if a requisition was made for additional paramilitary force, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs will immediately respond in a favorable manner.
The bench was informed by the BSF that 128 personnel are now stationed as a result the redeployment last night of two companies.
This is in addition to the force made available.
“We direct the State Election Commission and the Director General of Police, and the Secretary, Home Affairs, State of Tripura, to ensure that every booth is manned with sufficient CAPF personnel.
This is taking into account the sensitive nature of each polling station and the need to have the required number of personnel to protect the booths in order to ensure fair and free elections.In its order, the bench stated that the polling officer at each booth will be able to call upon CAPF personnel in case of emergency.
The court was informed by the top court that there are 770 polling stations where polling is taking places.The court stated that the installation of CCTV cameras was not required in order to allow both electronic and print media full access to the election process for reporting and coverage.
Senior advocates Mahesh Jethmalani (for Tripura government) stated that in addition the deployment of 78 Sections, which was noted in previous court orders, 15 additional Sections were deployed.Two companies of the Border Security Force have been deployed by Union Ministry of Home Affairs pursuant to a requisition by the state DGP, and the Home Secretary.
Gopal Sankaranarayanan (senior advocate) appeared for Trinamool Congress and stated that several incidents of violence were being recorded as the polling continues.He requested a hearing after lunch to show the court these videos.
The bench requested a joint report of compliance from both the DGP and Home Secretary and placed the matter on the December 2nd hearing.
The Trinamool Congress and other parties filed a contempt petition before the top court.
They claimed that the law and security situation in the state is getting worse as local body elections get closer and that the government authorities are not following the direction of the top court regarding security arrangements.
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