Ensuring Free And Fair Elections: Odisha Police Ups Statewide Security Arrangements Ahead Of First Phase Polls

Bhubaneswar: With the first phase of Panchayat polls in Odisha remaining just few days ahead, the Odisha Police has been on its highest preparedness to ensure free and fair elections. The whole security apparatus including the intelligence and enforcement wings have been beefed up to provide full security to both the candidates and the officials engaged in the polling process. The major areas that are of concern for the Odisha police such as Maoist activities, political gangwars, illegal liquor and money trail, and security of polling materials are being given utmost priority.

Odisha Director General of Police Sunil Kumar Bansal has been monitoring the day to day developments at real time and his priority has been on ensuring zero violence. As part of the efforts, the DGP has been making field visits to various places including the Maoist infested areas such as Nuapada, Kandhamal, Koraput and Malkangiri to review the preparedness and security arrangements.

On Friday, the DGP visited Koraput and Malkangiri to review the poll preparedness by the forces and interacted with the officials for ensuring free and fare elections. He also announced that the Police will deploy Drones for keeping a vigil on the Panchayat polls in the hilly terrains and maoist infested areas. If needed, Helicopters will also be used in the polling activities in the districts. A few days back, DGP had visited Nuapada and took stock of the poll preparedness.

In Ganjam, the police has made elaborate arrangements for free and fare elections for the three-tier Panchayat polls. Villages that have a history of political violence have been identified and a large number of disturbance creators have been apprehended. In maoist infested areas, border check posts have been put up and frisking has been stepped up. The borders with neighboring districts such as Koraput, Nuapada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Balasore have been secured to check illegal liquor trail.

In Kotia, the Koraput Police has been keeping a strict vigil on the movement of people from the neighbouring state who might try to disturb the voting or influence voters. The already sensitive borders are being sealed and vehicles are being checked. As part of its efforts, the Koraput Police has conducted Flag Marches in the Kotia Panchayat.

District Police officials are conducting regular flag marches in their respective areas to ensure free and fare elections for the Panchayats. In the state, arrangements have been made to deploy more than 225 platoons of police for the panchayat polls in the State.

The Odisha police has also been keeping a tab on the illegal sale and supply of liquor during the Panchayat Polls.