Two special observers — Ajay Nayak and Vivek Dube — sent by the Election Commission to Bengal met chief secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay, home secretary H.K. Dwivedi and director general of police P. Nirajnayan at Nabanna on Wednesday and asked them to lay stress on law and order issues ahead of the polls.

Sources aware of the meeting said the observers laid stress on identifying vulnerable areas properly, optimum use of central forces and mobile patrolling in trouble-prone areas ahead of the polls.

“Special observers visiting the state administrative headquarters to hold a meeting is a rare instance. Usually, the EC officials or the special observers call on state government officials in case they need to give any instruction. This gives a hint that the EC is attaching importance to the state’s law and order,” said a senior government official.

The sources said the special observers were unhappy as the district authorities were delaying in identifying vulnerable areas in the state.

“So far, only about 20 per cent of the estimated vulnerable areas have been identified officially. The poll panel wanted early identification of vulnerable areas,” said another official.

Vivek Dube Telegraph picture

Identification of vulnerable areas is very important ahead of the polls as political parties can influence people living in the area by giving cash or liquor, sources said.

The special observers also emphasised proper use central forces during and ahead of the voting.

“Deployment of central forces is usually done on the basis of inputs sent by the district authorities. In the past, it had been seen that central forces were not used in poll-related responsibilities while state police were involved in majority of such duties,” said an official.

The sources said the EC was trying to ensure use central forces in law and order-related responsibilities ahead of the polls as the Opposition parties, particularly the BJP, was alleging that the state police were playing a partisan role at many places.

“Besides, 295 companies of central forces were sent to the state so far. Such a huge contingent of forces was never sent to the state so many days ahead of the polls. Using the forces properly is also a factor that the EC is trying to resolve,” said another official.

The EC is also trying to ensure that proper mobile patrolling is done in trouble-prone areas.

“Patrolling in the trouble-prone areas and the bordering areas is important as it builds confidence among the voters. Involving central force jawans in the patrolling teams is also an issue on which the EC is laying stress,” said a source.

A senior government official said visit of the special observers a day after the removal of the DGP, Virendra, was significant as it sent a message to the top brass of the government.

“The visit made it clear why Virendra was removed. Moreover, it also sends a message that the top brass of the government should look into the issues with utmost urgency,” said the official.