Patna: Elaborate multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place for the Bankipur assembly by-election on July 30, with Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), Bihar police personnel, Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and flying squads deployed across the constituency to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya K Sharma said on Wednesday.Talking to TOI, the SSP said CAPF personnel have been deployed at all polling buildings, with the strength determined by whether a location has been classified as critical or non-critical. Bihar police personnel have also been deployed to augment the central forces.“For security management, polling stations have been grouped into sectors. On average, one sector covers around ten polling booths,” Sharma said. “Each sector is supervised by a police officer and a magistrate, while zonal and super-zonal officers have been deployed for additional monitoring,” he added. The security chain extends to the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), police station level and finally the district SP level for effective coordination.The SSP said 20 Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been deployed, with two teams stationed at each of the ten police stations under the Bankipur assembly constituency.In addition, reserve forces have been kept at police stations for emergency deployment, while static forces have been posted at important intersections and strategic locations.To prevent any disturbance during polling, police have intensified surveillance of anti-social elements and habitual offenders. Sharma said around 2,000 identified offenders have already been bound down under preventive provisions by local police stations, requiring them to furnish written undertakings before magistrates to maintain peace. Strict legal action will be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt polling or create law and order problems, he warned.The plan also includes three flying squads in each shift to respond swiftly to complaints and violations during polling. In addition, CCTV surveillance and the city’s existing police control room will remain operational. A dedicated election control room has also been set up at the Patna Collectorate to monitor polling-related developments in real time.Polling will be held on July 30 across 422 polling stations at 187 locations, with nearly 3.8 lakh voters eligible to exercise their franchise. After polling concludes, EVMs and VVPATs will be transported under heavy security along a planned traffic route to the strong room at AN College, where security and traffic restrictions will remain in force until the completion of the deposit process.
