The Election Commission has asked the Home Ministry to arrange for 74,000 Central forces personnel for the May 25 Anantnag by-elections in J&K. The request comes after the April 9 by-poll in the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency was marred by violence and seven civilians were killed. “During the recently-concluded Assembly elections in other States, we had sanctioned 70,000 Central forces personnel for more than five States. Here they want 74,000. There is not much time and it will be a difficult exercise logistically,” said a senior Home Ministry official.
