By IANS,
Kannur (Kerala) : Central forces should be deployed in Kerala’s Kannur district ahead of the forthcoming local bodies poll, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said Friday.
“For the smooth conduct of the polls and for the electorate to exercise their franchise freely, central forces should be deployed here,” Ravi told reporters here.
“The election commission should also increase the strength of the local police. The local police have limitations while the central forces can do the job without any other issue,” he said.
The local bodies poll will be held in Kannur in two phases Oct 23 and 25.
There have been many clashes in Kannur district, which is the stronghold of the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist, over the years between activists of the CPI-M, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Three companies of central forces numbering 270 were posted here in November last year when by-polls to the Kannur assembly seat took place.