TRIPURA GOES TO THE POLLS

22 April 2004, (ANI)

Agartala, Apr.22 (ANI): Polling for two Lok Sabha seats in

Tripura began on Thursday morning on a peaceful note amidst tight security measures. Voters were seen standing in queues to exercise their franchise as polling began at 7 a.m., and there were no reports of violence from any part of the state.



'The voting is going on smoothly. Lots of people are participating in the process which is largely peaceful,' said a voter at the polling booth.



Elections are being held in the two Lok Sabha constituencies of East Tripura and West Tripura, where 1,976,503 voters would exercise their franchise to make a choice out of a total of 12 candidates.



Authorities have stepped up security fearing violence in the wake of a poll-boycott call issued by the banned All Tripura Tiger Force militant outfit.



Special security measures have been taken in 150 booths located in insurgency-prone areas, which are being aerially monitored to thwart any attempts by the insurgents to disrupt polling.



Border outposts in the state have also been put on high alert. About 20,000 security personnel, including CRPF, Assam Rifles, Tripura State Rifles and state police have been deployed in the state.



Polling was rescheduled for today from the earlier April 20 date as it coincided with the Gariah pooja of the tribals. (ANI)