Over 3,000 police staff to be deployed for polls in Bhubaneswar

DCP Nitinjit, Addl CP and CP RP Sharma

--15 flying squads also engaged to keep eye on poll code violations

BHUBANESWAR: More than 3,000 police personnel will be deployed in the areas of Assembly constituencies under the Police Commissionerate during the election to ensure safety of voters and peaceful voting. It was informed by Twin City Police Commissioner Dr RP Sharma at a Press meet here on Thursday.

Sharma stated that five companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) would also be deployed in the city to help the police personnel. “We have identified 15 per cent high sensitive booths in the city for which arrangements have been made to keep strict vigil on the mischief mongers in these areas,” he added.

He said that 15 flying squads (three for one constituency) were engaged by the Commissionerate Police to check violations of model code of conduct and distribution of money and liquor to the voters. “We conduct surprise raids at the places soon after getting tip-offs from the reliable sources about the violations of poll code,” he added.

The Police Commissioner revealed that seven illegal camps arranged by the political parties to appease voters with liquor and feast at several places under the Jatni Assembly constituency have been stopped by the police. “No such political camps will be allowed in the constituency as it violates the poll code and invites criminal activities in the area,” he said.  

Sharma said the candidates could not put banners, posters and leaflets on public or private property without taking permission from the appropriate authority. “We have defaced over 2800 such illegal posters, leaflets and banners of different candidates in the city,” he added.

To ensure peaceful polls in the city, Sharma said the Commissionerate Police have executed 542 persons against whom the non-bailable warrants (NBWs) were pending during last month. He further stated that they have detected 3,368 offenders last month under the Odisha Urban Police Act.

The Commissioner revealed that 950 licence holders of arms out of the total 1596 licence holders have already deposited their arms before the Commissionerate Police ahead of polls. “Keeping in view of the polls, we have launched a special drive to execute the pending non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against criminals and repeated offenders,” said Sharma.