Polls take a toll on central forces
The increased and recurrent diversion of central forces for election duties in the states may be taking its toll on their training levels and, consequently, battle preparedness.
By TNN |
NEW DELHIL: The increased and recurrent diversion of central forces for election duties in the states may be taking its toll on their training levels and, consequently, battle preparedness.
This was conceded by BSF director general AK Mitra, even as he could not think of an alternative to heavy deployment of central forces that could also ensure free and fair polls in the states. “The BSF is in great demand after it could help the EC pull off impartial Assembly elections in UP, Punjab and West Bengal... but on the flip side, this is affecting our training as most of the companies to be deployed for the polls are picked from the training grounds,” he told a press conference organised to mark the BSF Raising Day.
What is worrying the central forces is not only the increasing demand for its personnel for poll duties, given the fact that elections are on in one state or the other for most part of the year, but also that every election requires the force to be engaged for 6-8 weeks at a stretch. For example, at least 550 companies will be deployed for the ensuing Gujarat Assembly polls. Earlier, UP and West Bengal — where elections were staggered over 5-7 phases spread over a month — saw as many as 675 and 600 companies standing vigil, respectively.
So regular is the diversion of central forces for poll duties that the BSF has even included a lesson on election laws in their training curriculum. “Our personnel deployed at the polling stations act as EC’s observers and their complaints of poll irregularities are taken in all seriousness... that is why we, following the heavy deployment of forces for the 2002 J&K poll, decided to educate our men on laws and guidelines regarding conduct of elections,” Mr Mitra said.
The deployed forces have to be stationed in the poll-bound areas for almost 2-3 weeks in advance, and are rotated in-between the phases, which may also stretch for another 3-4 weeks in the case of bigger states. The long preoccupation with poll duties often leaves little time for the “under-training” battalions to complete their refresher courses that mostly span for six weeks.
Ideally, of the seven companies in a battalion, one company has to be on training at any point of time. It is during this training that the personnel can familiarise themselves with the use of newly-inducted gadgetry and weapons. In the case of their being diverted to the polls, they often miss this crucial training and are forced to complete it the following year.
“The problem is that lack of proper training stands the risk of affecting the personnel’s fighting prowess and preparedness, more so when they are immediately required to go on active duties in sensitive sectors like J&K and the North-East... they often find themselves out of touch with the use of arms and latest equipment,” DIG (training) MS Malhi told the ET.
It was only recently that CRPF director general SIS Ahmed, too, complained against over-dependence of the states and the Election Commission on central forces for poll duty. However, there seems to be no acceptable replacement for the central forces for poll security, given that Opposition parties rarely trust state police to pull off an impartial election.
According to an EC official, the Commission would be more than happy to hold the election with the help of state police, but it is the political parties themselves who insist on the presence of central forces. While conceding that it was not practicable to have a dedicated force for poll security — and such a force would be idle when there is no election happening — both the BSF and CRPF agree that time has come to augment their respective strengths to ease the availability of personnel for poll duties.
BSF, for one, has sought 49 additional battalions to take care of increasing demand for duties other than border guarding and internal security.
This would enable the force to spare the required companies for polling without compromising deployment levels on normal duties or training requirements.
This was conceded by BSF director general AK Mitra, even as he could not think of an alternative to heavy deployment of central forces that could also ensure free and fair polls in the states. “The BSF is in great demand after it could help the EC pull off impartial Assembly elections in UP, Punjab and West Bengal... but on the flip side, this is affecting our training as most of the companies to be deployed for the polls are picked from the training grounds,” he told a press conference organised to mark the BSF Raising Day.
What is worrying the central forces is not only the increasing demand for its personnel for poll duties, given the fact that elections are on in one state or the other for most part of the year, but also that every election requires the force to be engaged for 6-8 weeks at a stretch. For example, at least 550 companies will be deployed for the ensuing Gujarat Assembly polls. Earlier, UP and West Bengal — where elections were staggered over 5-7 phases spread over a month — saw as many as 675 and 600 companies standing vigil, respectively.
So regular is the diversion of central forces for poll duties that the BSF has even included a lesson on election laws in their training curriculum. “Our personnel deployed at the polling stations act as EC’s observers and their complaints of poll irregularities are taken in all seriousness... that is why we, following the heavy deployment of forces for the 2002 J&K poll, decided to educate our men on laws and guidelines regarding conduct of elections,” Mr Mitra said.
The deployed forces have to be stationed in the poll-bound areas for almost 2-3 weeks in advance, and are rotated in-between the phases, which may also stretch for another 3-4 weeks in the case of bigger states. The long preoccupation with poll duties often leaves little time for the “under-training” battalions to complete their refresher courses that mostly span for six weeks.
Ideally, of the seven companies in a battalion, one company has to be on training at any point of time. It is during this training that the personnel can familiarise themselves with the use of newly-inducted gadgetry and weapons. In the case of their being diverted to the polls, they often miss this crucial training and are forced to complete it the following year.
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“The problem is that lack of proper training stands the risk of affecting the personnel’s fighting prowess and preparedness, more so when they are immediately required to go on active duties in sensitive sectors like J&K and the North-East... they often find themselves out of touch with the use of arms and latest equipment,” DIG (training) MS Malhi told the ET.
It was only recently that CRPF director general SIS Ahmed, too, complained against over-dependence of the states and the Election Commission on central forces for poll duty. However, there seems to be no acceptable replacement for the central forces for poll security, given that Opposition parties rarely trust state police to pull off an impartial election.
According to an EC official, the Commission would be more than happy to hold the election with the help of state police, but it is the political parties themselves who insist on the presence of central forces. While conceding that it was not practicable to have a dedicated force for poll security — and such a force would be idle when there is no election happening — both the BSF and CRPF agree that time has come to augment their respective strengths to ease the availability of personnel for poll duties.
BSF, for one, has sought 49 additional battalions to take care of increasing demand for duties other than border guarding and internal security.
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This would enable the force to spare the required companies for polling without compromising deployment levels on normal duties or training requirements.
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