TRIVANDRUM, 26 September 2005 — Tight security will be in place for the second phase of polling in the six northern districts to elect local self-governments today. Kerala and Karnataka police contingents staged flag marches in the sensitive areas of Kannur district where 1,150 polling booths have been identified as “violence-prone”.
Police officers above the rank of head constable were given powers to order shoot-at-sight against those who indulge in booth-capturing or disrupt polling. Criminals including political activists involved in previous incidents of violence against whom arrest warrants were pending would be taken into custody if they turn up to cast votes, police said.
The State Election Commission had also provided insurance cover of Rs 100,000 to poll officials in the district in view of possible violence. The results, including that of the eight southern districts that went to polls on Saturday, will be announced tomorrow.
