Cops identify 105 'sensitive' poll areas

The police have identified more than a hundred "sensitive" pockets in the city that will need additional security arrangements during the upcoming civic elections.

The police have identified more than a hundred "sensitive" pockets in the city that will need additional security arrangements during the upcoming civic elections.

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Sources said that a confidential report prepared by the Mumbai police administration classified 105 pockets, across 93 police stations, as sensitive, based on the history of notorious activities in the area, slum density, profile of candidates, history of violence during polls, communal riots, and anticipated law and order problem.

Sources in the police told HT on Thursday that the areas had been identified based on reports by the Intelligence wing of the Mumbai police and the Special Branch, in association with local police stations, after a weeklong survey.

Orders have been issued to ensure increased surveillance and deployment in these areas during campaigning. Orders for special bandobast (security) for the day of the polls have also been issued. Sources further said that police would hire 250 private vehicles for patrolling during the elections, a majority of which will be allotted to these sensitive areas.

Confirming the development, Rajnish Seth, joint commissioner of police, Law and Order, said: "The process of mobilising additional forces in these areas has already begun." Additional manpower has been sought from the State Reserve Police Force and Rapid Action Force, Seth said.

Though he refused to disclose the details of the spots, sources said that a majority of them were located in areas such as Agripada, Nagpada, Colaba, Chinchpokli, Parel in South and South Central Mumbai, Jogeshwari, Dindoshi, Kurar and Charkop in North Mumbai and Kurla, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli and Dharavi in the suburbs. Most of these areas are densely populated, with sprawling slum clusters.