Counting stations turn into fortresses

Mumbai: The three poll counting stations at Sewri, Vikhroli and Goregaon will witness heavy police deployment on Thursday with the presence of the city police, reserve police and commandos there.

“The counting of polled EVMs of the six parliamentary constituencies in Mumbai is going to be held on May 23 at NESCO Complex Goregaon, Udayanchal School Vikhroli and New Sewri Warehouse, Sewri (east). We have deployed more than 1,500 officers and staff at these locations along with other forces,” said Manjunath Singe, deputy commissioner and Mumbai police spokesperson.

The city police will have Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), Quick Response Teams (QRT) commandos and Riot Control Police (RCP) deployed at these polling stations. Police personnel in civilian clothes and watchers will also be at hand to keeping prevent any attempts at illegal entry at the counting stations.

The police said that officers of all ranks are part of the security cover for the poll counting stations where the EVMs will be brought in and votes will be counted starting Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, the city’s traffic police will also take necessary steps to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in and around these locations.

The police has also advised citizens to avoid spreading rumours and to inform the police on the helpline 100 instead in case they come across unconfirmed information.

The Thane Rural police has also taken adequate measures to secure the poll counting centre at Bhiwandi, which has a sizeable minority population and is a sensitive town. The officials said that at least 346 policemen and officers would be deployed at the Presidency School in Elkunde area of Bhiwandi. There will also be a sizeable presence of personnel in civilian clothes in and around the poll counting station at Bhiwandi, officials said.