Election 2008

144 centres 'risky' in Rangamati

23 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Rangamati

One hundred forty-four polling centres of 10 upazilas have been identified as 'vulnerable', said Rangamati superintendent of police (SP) Masud-ul-Hasan. District security branch (DSB) has identified the centres out of 197 centres in all 11 police stations in the upazilas, he said. All 21 polling centres of Longudu upazila and nine centres of Rajasthali are vulnerable. Other risky centres are in Rangamati Sadar and Kawkhali. Upazila-wise other risky centres are 13 in Baghaichhari, 12 in Naniachar, 13 in Barkal, 11 in Jurachhari, eight in Kaptai, seven in Bilaichhari and eight in Chandraghona. Helicopters will be used to conduct election in 18 inaccessible centres. Of them, four each are situated in Baghaichhari and Bilaichari, three in Barkal, six in Jurachhari and one in Rajasthali upazila. Previously, copters were used in seven remote polling centres only to conduct election. This year, the number of polling centres has increased to 197 from 152, said district election office sources. Army, BDR, police and ansar will be deployed in the 'risky' centres to ensure blanket security there, DSB sources said.