Centre sending 25,000 troops to poll-bound Jharkhand

The Centre has decided to deploy 25,000 additional paramilitary force personnel to Jharkhand to ensure a free and fair Assembly elections there.

The Centre has decided to deploy 25,000 additional paramilitary force personnel to Jharkhand to ensure a free and fair Assembly elections there.

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The troops, drawn from CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB, will reach the poll-bound state on November 10 and will immediately proceed to sensitive polling stations to assist the local police.

"These 25,000 personnel will be in addition to the existing paramilitary troops deployed in Jharkhand for
anti-naxal operations," a Home Ministry official said.

The five-phase poll will be held on November 25, December 2, 8, 12 and 18.

Sources in the ministry said the additional troops are expected to remain in the state even after the polling is over
as the Centre is planning a major offensive against Maoists unleashing violence in several districts.