Heavy security blanket for Kerala: 50,000 personnel and 120 central companies on election duty

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: To ensure tight security for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, 120 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are being deployed across the state. These units include the CISF, CRPF, BSF, Sashastra Seema Bal, and the Rapid Action Force. Thirty companies have already arrived, with each company consisting of 70 to 100 personnel.

A significant portion of the force will be stationed in the northern districts, where a higher concentration of "problem-prone" booths has been identified. Additionally, the services of police forces from other states have been requested.

Booth Classification and Security Measures

Initial estimates identify over 3,000 problem-prone booths statewide. Security will be tiered based on sensitivity:

• Category A (Highly Sensitive): Four Central Force personnel will be deployed per booth.
• Category B (Sensitive): Two Central Force personnel will be deployed per booth.

Beyond booth-level security, the strategy includes group patrols, police pickets, and a comprehensive surveillance system. In Maoist-affected regions, the Thunderbolt elite commando wing will provide additional security.

Operational Command and Weaponry

The Central Forces will operate under the direction of District SPs or Sub-Divisional Officers, focusing on law and order, crowd control, and voter assistance. They are equipped with advanced weaponry, including 9 mm pistols, INSAS rifles and LMGs, automatic grenade launchers, AK-47s, AKM rifles, and Israeli Tavor rifles.

Manpower and Logistics

A total of 50,000 security personnel—including Police, Excise, Forest, and Motor Vehicle officers, alongside Home Guards—will be on duty. This includes 10,000 Special Police Officers recruited from the ranks of ex-servicemen and retirees.

Key Security Protocols:

1. Strategic Deployment: Booths are categorized as sensitive or hyper-sensitive; Central Forces will be stationed at these locations on polling day.
2. Route Marches: Forces will conduct marches in volatile areas to ensure public confidence and maintain order.
3. Rapid Response: Strategic arrangements are in place to redeploy forces anywhere in a constituency to address emergencies.

Budgetary Impact

The security operation is estimated to cost ₹150 crore. While the State Police will initially cover expenses for the Central Forces' accommodation, food, and transport (including air travel from other states), these costs will later be reimbursed by the Central Government.

"The deployment of Central Forces has commenced, and all security arrangements are being strictly executed according to the norms of the Election Commission." — Rawada Chandrashekhar, Police Chief