Srinagar, November 18: The Central Gvernent has decided to deploy 49 additional battalions of CRPF in Jammu and Kashmir in view of the coming panchayat elections across the Union Territory.
The Union Home Ministry has issued orders for movement of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) deployments from various states to the UT, sources said, adding the concerned quarters have been asked to make the arrangements including the desired scale of arms and ammunitions, special anti-riot equipment and winter clothing. Special emphasis has been laid on providing protective body gears in wake of cold climate in the Valley, sources added.
The Jammu and Kashmir is going to have the first ever District Development Council elections in eight phases beginning November 28. This is the first major electoral exercise being held in the UT after abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.
Apart from this, by-elections are also being held for over 12,000 vacancies in panchayats, and 234 seats in urban local bodies in the UT. While voting for the DDCs and panchayats is being held on ballot papers, EVMs will be used for vacancies in urban local bodies.
The DDC elections and byelections to urban local bodies are being held on party basis. However, panchayat belections are being held on non-party basis.All the mainstream political parties including BJP, Congress, NC and PDP are contesting the polls. The NC and PDP along with other mainstream parties in Kashmir who have formed People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration are contesting the elections jointly.
