MARGAO
The South Goa district police have identified nine vulnerable hamlets in the five Assembly constituencies of Ponda, Shiroda, Mormugao, Cortalim and Margao with migrant and floating population.
The election authorities have also identified 46 polling station as critical police station, which will come under the scanner of the Quick Response Teams on the day of polling.
Addressing a joint media conference, South Goa District Electoral Office, Swapnil Naik told the media in the presence of district police chief Chaudhary and Additional Collector, Johnson Fernandes that all security and poll arrangements have been put in place for the February 4 poll. He said the number of critical polling stations have now gone up to 46 after the incident at Shiroda constituency.
SP, South Chandan Chaudhary informed that the nine vulnerable hamlets in the five Assembly constituencies comprise of Bettora, Parampil, Baina, Zuari Nagar, and Moti Dongor, Azad Nagar, Pedd and Khareband in Margao constituency. She said the police and security forces have conducted flag marches in these vulnerable hamlets, including nakabandis.
Replying to a question, the SP, South pointed out that 1190 State police personnel, 342 home guards and 26 companies of para-military forces (each company consisting of 80-100 personnel) will be deployed across the district on the day of polling on February 4.
Replying to a question, district Collector Swapnil said that all the 15,000 government servants drafted for poll duties, including police and civil servants, have been given postal ballots, which can be returned back two hours before the day of counting.
He said that 85 out of the total 648 polling stations have come under the shadow zone for want of mobile network coverage.
Replying to a question, Swapnil said that the policemen on duty will be paid allowances, to take care of their food requirements, adding that toilet amenities have been made at all the polling stations in the district.
