Ensuring Free And Fair Polls: Berhampur Police Walks The Extra Mile

Berhampur: With campaigning for Urban Local Body elections gaining momentum and the polling day nearing, the focus for Berhampur Police has shifted to maintaining law and order and ensuring free and fair elections. As part of its efforts to maintain law and order, the Berhampur Police has taken unto itself various initiatives such as foot patrolling in various wards, field visits by senior officials, and keeping a sharp eye on Sensitive and Hyper Sensitive booths.

After successfully managing the recent Panchayat Polls, the challenge now for the urban police of Berhampur is to work for smooth elections for all the ULBs including Berhampur Municipal Corporation and three NACs of Gopalpur, Digapahandi, and Chikiti that are going for polls on the 24th of this month. The Berhampur Police under the leadership of Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra has been leaving no stone unturned to maintain law and order. Of the many initiatives that have been taken in view of the elections, daily foot patrolling by police personnel in all the wards is ensuring that there is no untoward incident or violation of model code of conduct. The foot patrolling will also be heightened in booths that are sensitive and hyper sensitive.

Senior Police officials are taking daily field visits to the areas that are marked as sensitive and hyper sensitive in terms of violence. Regular meetings of police personnel are also being conducted to review the Law and Order situation and to see the election preparedness.

All the 42 wards coming under BeMC have been kept under surveillance for anti socials and special focus is being given to areas that have any chances of political violence. Likewise, the police has also adopted special strategy for the Gopalpur, Chikiti and Digapahandi NACs. More than two lakh fifty thousand voters will cast their votes in BeMC for which 250 booths are being set up. Providing security to all the booths and the strong rooms is a priority for the Police.

While the Police is conducting flag marches in all sensitive areas, foot patrolling and PCR van movements have been increased. Check post have also been set up at various places to frisk the vehicles for illegal movement of contraband. The police has also taken into custody many history-sheeters to ensure that no incident occurs. SP Pinak Mishra himself is visiting with other officials to various wards and areas to assure the voters of peaceful electioneering. The Police has also engaged about twenty bike patrolling teams who are visiting the scores of galis and sahis of Berhampur. A special vehicle has been engaged to catch the drunkards roaming in the streets of the city.

Speaking to Newsroomodisha.com, SP Pinak Mishra has said that “Our priority is to ensure that the elections are held totally free and fair. We request the citizens to report us any incident that can affect the elections. We are also keeping an eye on the political rallies and our officials are there to thwart any untoward incident.”

Enforcement activities such as traffic checking, helmet checking, drunken driving, mask checking and excise raids are also continuing. On the 16th of March, the Berhampur Police arrested seven persons and issued challans to 354 vehicles for traffic violations and imposed fines of Rs 177,000. Also, 97 liters of liquor has also been seized from anti socials.