Dharamshala, Nov. 15 -- Eight policemen deployed for the security of EVMs in Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur district have been suspended for negligence after they were found absent from their standby duties at the two strong rooms during a surprise inspection, police said on Friday.

The action came after the additional superintendent of police Shiv Chaudhary conducted a surprise check on Wednesday night, and visited electronic voting machine (EVM) strong rooms at the Government Degree College, Bilaspur, and Lakhanpur.

The ASP then immediately informed SP Sandeep Dhawal, following which the two head constables and six constables were suspended and sent to police lines.

Senior police officials said the suspended personnel were those who wer...