Haryana Gears Up for Assembly Elections: Seizures, Security Enhancements, and Strict Vigilance Across Borders

Chandigarh, September 10 : Haryana Chief Secretary Dr. TVSN Prasad today provided a detailed update on the state's election preparedness and law and order situation during the Inter-State Border Meeting convened by the Election Commission of India in light of the upcoming Haryana Legislative Assembly elections.

During the meeting, Dr. Prasad said that since the announcement of the elections, authorities in Haryana have seized illegal liquor, narcotics, cash, and valuables totaling ₹14 crore. The seized items include ₹10.45 lakh in cash,2.44 lakh liters of liquor, 2,079 kg of drugs valued at ₹4.36 crore, 30.5 kg of precious metals, and freebies/ any other items worth ₹1.35 crore.

To further strengthen law and order,, Haryana has established 435 flying squads and 377 Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) across the state. Additionally, 133 inter-state nakas have been set up along border points to prevent the movement of illegal substances, unlicensed weapons, and individuals with criminal backgrounds. Another 140 intra-state nakas have been established to curb the trafficking of liquor, drugs, and other illegal items within Haryana. The Haryana Police have also seized 96 unlicensed weapons and 113 cartridges. Furthermore, since the election announcement, 176 proclaimed offenders, 129 bail jumpers, and 210 warranted persons have been arrested.

Dr. Prasad said that the law and order situation in Haryana is peaceful and under full control. For coordinating logistics and accommodation for security personnel, Nodal Officers of DSP rank have been appointed in each district.

Dr. Prasad emphasized that no unauthorized persons will be allowed to stay in Haryana during the crucial 48 hours leading up to the election, in order to ensure a free and fair voting process. Vigilance has been heightened along the inter-state borders with neighboring states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Punjab, with 133 inter-state checkpoints established to prevent any criminal elements or unauthorized materials from entering Haryana."

The meeting was attended by Haryana’s Chief Electoral Officer Mr. Pankaj Agarwal, Director General of Police Mr. Shatrujeet Kapur, Additional Director General of CID Mr. Alok Mittal, Commissioner of Excise and Taxation Mr. Ashok Meena, and other senior officials from the police and excise departments.

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Families to receive Ex-Gratia assistance in case of Death or Permanent Disability of Polling/Security Personnel During Election Duty, Chief Electoral Officer

This ex-gratia amount will be in addition to the compassionate compensation provided by other employers.

Chandigarh, September 10 - The Chief Electoral Officer, Haryana, Sh. Pankaj Agarwal said that in the event of any violent acts of extremism or anti-social elements like road mines, bomb blasts, armed attacks resulting in the death of polling/security personnel during election duty, their families will be granted an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 30 lakh.

The Chief Electoral Officer shared that, similarly, in cases where death occurs due to other reasons while on duty, Rs. 15 lakh will be provided. In cases where an employee is permanently disabled due to involvement of extremist or unsocial elements, Rs. 15 lakh will be given, and in the case of grievous injury resulting in permanent disability, like loss of limb, eye sight, etc., Rs. 7.5 lakh will be provided as financial assistance to the families.

Sh. Pankaj Agarwal mentioned that this ex-gratia amount, provided during election duty, will be in addition to the compensation paid by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the state government, or any other employer. He further shared that the election duty period will be considered from the date of election announcements to the date of results (inclusive of both days).

He informed that in each of the cases, whether deceased or injured/disabled, it will be the responsibility of the DEO and SP to initiate the process of claim for compensation. This process should be initiated within 10 days of the incident. The Chief Electoral Officer's office must ensure that the case is resolved within one month, said. Sh. Pankaj Agarwal.

He informed that the Commission provides for compensation of ex-gratia payment to the kin of polling/security personnel in case of death or grievous injuries arising out of and in the course of election duty and include all personnel deployed in all types of election related duties, all security personnel under CAPFS, SAPS, State Police, Home Guards, and any private person like drivers, cleaners, etc., hired for election duty, BEL/ECIL engineers who are engaged in First Level Checking (FLC), EVM commissioning, Poll Day and Counting Day duty.

It would be reasonable to consider a person on election duty as soon as he/she leaves residence/office to report for any election related work including training and until he/she reaches back to his/her residence/office after performance of election related duty. If any mishap takes place during this period, it should be treated as having occurred on election duty subject to condition that there should be a causal connection between occurrence of death/injury and the election duty.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that Elections are a fundamental characteristic of democracy, and involve strenuous activities that are carried out by election machinery consisting of officials and staff from various departments. These personnel perform challenging tasks, to the extent of risking their lives with the commitment to ensure free and fair conduct of elections. Acknowledging the contribution made by them, the Commission provides for compensation in case of death in the form of ex-gratia to the next of kin of the deceased personnel or assistance for the personnel himself in case of grievous injury resulting into permanent disability.

Medical Facilities and Other Public Amenities for Polling Staff to Be Ensured

Sh. Pankaj Agarwal directed that all District Election Officers ensure the provision of healthcare, first-aid, and other medical facilities for polling personnel at training centres, dispatch, and receiving centres. An ambulance equipped with doctors and paramedical staff must also be arranged.