117 highly sensitive booths identified in Rayagada

--SWR IG reviews security situation

RAYAGADA: Out of the total 840 polling booths, 117 booths were identified as highly sensitive and 79 were sensitive in Rayagada district which will go to polls on April 10. As the district has Maoist affected areas, more attention will be given in the highly sensitive booths for a free and fair polling process, said South Western range IG Yasawant Jethwa at a review meeting here on Thursday.

Jethwa said proper security arrangement has been made like mobilisation of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and other State forces at strategic locations in the district keeping in view of Maoist attack. Total nine flying squads and nine Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) have been formed under the charge of one Executive Magistrate in each team to detect any violation of Model Code of Conduct, he added.

To ensure peaceful polling, the police have executed 330 persons against whom the non-bailable warrants (NBWs) were pending. As many as 76 licence holders of arms out of the total 268 licence holders have already deposited their arms before the district police ahead of polls. The police seized two illegal arms five bombs during raids in different areas in the district.

In order to check illegal liquor business, the excise police have conducted 103 raids and have lodged 89 excise cases against 88 persons after seizing 977 litres of liquors in the district.

“We have intensified patrolling in Maoists affected areas and have started checking of motor vehicles at all strategic points to prevent threat from the Maoists,” said Jethwa.

Among others, the Rayagada Collector and the SP were present in the review meeting.

‘Big parties using religious places for campaign, feast’

--Candidates complain CP to take it seriously

BHUBANESWAR: Representatives of various political parties while attending a discussion with Twin City Commissioner of Police Dr RP Sharma on Thursday alleged that big parties were using religious places for campaign by arranging feasts to appease voters. The parties demanded strict vigil in these areas to stop distribution of money and arrangement of feats.

During the interaction with the candidates of different political parties along with independents, the Commissionerate Police made them aware about technical details of model code of conduct imposed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the ensuing polls. The candidates also asked different questions regarding rules and regulations of the poll code.

A candidate of the CPI (ML) Liberation party for Bhubaneswar North Assembly constituency Mahendra Parida brought allegation against a few political parties for fixing banners and posters in Government owned areas in the city. He along with other candidates demanded the Commissionerate Police to open the single window system for disposal of applications regarding permission for campaign, public meeting, possessions, use of vehicles and sound system during electioneering.

Regarding use of religious places by candidates of different political parties, Dr Sharma directed the ACPs and IICs of the respective police stations to keep eye on these places and to take action against the violators of poll code.

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.

CPI (ML) Lib prioritises agriculture in manifesto

BHUBANESWAR: The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation on Wednesday released its election manifesto which has given emphasis on development of agriculture and farmers in the State.

If the party voted to power, it will enact a new law to protect farmland and stop all private acquisition of forestland, coastal areas and traditional fishing zones. 

The manifesto has ten topmost promises including pro-people economic policies, curbing price rise and improving conditions of farmers, equal pay for equal work and increase in minimum wages, guarantee people’s rights in every sphere, repeal of draconian and anti-people laws, protection of women’s rights and freedom, upholding of federal restructuring and reorganisation of the States.

The party also promised in the manifesto to guarantee people’s rights and to protect environment. It will also ensure 24x7 supply of electricity at subsidised rates for rural and urban poor and for small enterprises, shops and agriculture. The party will also bring electoral, legal and police reforms. It will not allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail and strategic sectors, the manifesto said.

“We appeal to the voters to vote for the CPI (ML) candidates to ensure that the voices of people’s resistance can resound in the Parliament and challenge the regime of plunder and corruption,” said party State secretary Khitish Biswal.

Notably, the party has fielded three candidates for Lok Sabha and 17 candidates for Assembly seats in the State.

Parties’ complain against 3 DMs in State: Eelection Commission

Zaidi and HS Brahma

--stop using Bharat Nirman volunteers in poll duty, says EC

BHUBANESWAR: Election Commissioner HS Brahma while addressing the reporters here on Wednesday said the political parties of the State have complained against Collectors of three districts for alleged unfair practices.

When reporters asked all the names of the districts, the Commissioner consciously avoided the questions and said that they are verifying the allegation made by the political parties against the Collectors. “The political parties had appealed us to warn the district magistrates to remain unbiased and neutral during the polls. We got the complaint and are verifying the truth in it,” said Brahma.

The Commissioner also told the reporters about three points which was raised by the political parties in a discussion. These were free and fair polls, protection to the candidates and implementation of single window system to give quick disposal of campaign related permission and complaints.        

Brahma clarified that they will implement the single window system in district level very soon to facilitate the candidates contesting the election. He also made it clear that the replies on the complaints lodged by the candidates should be processed within 24 hours.

He further said that they have reviewed the preparedness for the simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the State Assembly to be held in two phases on April 10 and 17. Political parties’ request for security in the left wing extremists (LWE) areas will be considered, he added.

The Election Commissioner said they have kept strict vigil on election expenditure, liquor distribution, paid news and violation of model code of conduct during the poll process. He also appealed the media to cooperate them in checking unfair practices and violations of poll code.

Another Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said the political parties and candidates had complained about use of Bharat Nirman volunteers in the election work. He clarified that they will not be misused in the work anymore.

Zaidi also told that they were urged by the political parties to extend the time slot for party campaign in the All India Radio and Doordarshan.

He stated that the banners, posters and leaflets put up in the houses by the candidates after taking permission from the owners will not be removed. This year, photo voter slips would be delivered by the district level officers instead of political party agents, he added.

Zaidi said that neutrality will be maintained. If any officer violates poll code, the commission will take action against him, he added.

“We will keep eye on media along with social media. Any malicious content related to election in the social media will be removed,” Zaidi said, adding, “We have deployed surveillance teams, flying squads, excise teams, election observers and other vigilant teams to keep strict vigil on illegal liquor, money and gift distributions during the polls.”

Among others, Deputy Election Commission Alok Shukla and two Director Generals of the Election Commission of India (ECI) BK Das and Akshaya Rout also spoke to the reporters about measures to conduct free and fair elections, provision of minimum facilities at polling stations, communication plan and functioning of complaint redressal mechanism.

Anna to form body to sensitise voters to elect good candidates

Akshaya Kumar, Annaji and Rajendra Singh Rane

BHUBANESWAR: “We will form an organisation at national level to educate and awaken people from every corner of the country to elect good representatives for the Lok Sabha and the Assembly seats,” said anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare at a Press conference here on Tuesday.

Anna said they would make the organisation’s name public after 2014 General Elections. In every State, at every district level, taluka level, the organisations are to set up of people with good character to awaken voters. A team of 30-40 people has been chosen in the first phase to begin the work, he added.

“We will get an idea of success by 2019. Else by 2024, after 10 years, we would get some success in demolishing the party and parties system,” said the activist, adding, “Otherwise we have to continuously make an effort to bring rule of people.”

Anna stated the Indian Constitution does not mention any party and parties. In a Republic, citizens are the possessor of the nation. As India became Republic on January 26, 1950, the party and parties should have been dismissed, but this didn’t happen. Due to the rise of parties, the people’s democracy has vanished from the country, he added.

The anti-graft crusader said the Lok Sabha has not remained an association of people but an association of parties. Corruption, loot, goondaism and other criminal activities will not end till the party-rule is not stopped, he added.

“Today these parties have formed groups in every village and encouraged disputes among them which have blocked the progress of villages. The parties have created factions among the youths and have sown seeds of casteism to gain votes,” said Anna, adding, “Then why we will not choose good representatives from the society instead of candidates chosen by a party?”  

Send 100 reps in 2019 to elect farmer loving PM: Anna Hazare

-- Voters urged to elect good candidates than parties

BHUBANESWAR: “Send at least 100 representatives of farmers in 2019 polls who can decide who will be the Prime Minister of India and can address plight of the farmers in the country,” said anti-graft crusader Anna Hazaare while addressing thousands of farmers in a public meeting organised by the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) here on Tuesday.    

Anna said the farmers might not get success in 2014 election, but they should get ready to send farmer’s representatives to the Parliament in 2019 or 2024 polls. Though the farmers can’t send all the Lok Sabha members, but can send at least 100 representatives who can choose the farmer loving candidate for the coveted post of the Prime Minister, he added.

The anti-graft activist called upon the people to participate in the revolution for change of the system and suggested the mass to elect honest citizens to participate in elections so that they will work for the people not for the party. He urged the people not to vote for the corrupt and criminal leaders and chose the candidates carefully while casting votes as every party has its share of criminal leaders.

“Nothing will happen in change of power, we have to change the system. Now our country is ruled by a few political parties instead of the people of the nation,” said Anna, adding, “Partytantra has overpowered Loktantra, so that we should finish the partyraj in the country.”

After independence, the Government didn’t think about development of villages, but focused on cities only. “If the Government does develop villages, country will not flourish,” said Anna and suggested the Government to plan in a holistic manner for the proper use of water, land and jungle in the villages.

The activist further said the rivers, dams and jungles are sold to industries in the name of development. Farmers are neglected in their own country. “We will organise all the farmers of the country to fight for their rights,” the activist added.  

Our economy is not so strong because our Government has taken a faulty way of development. “We have to change the way and it will be begun from Odisha,” said the activist.  

From 1857 to 1947, the people of the country had fought for first independence of India. “Englishmen were our target, and they were compelled to leave the country. But we have to fight for second independence to get rid of loot, goondaism, corruption and black money,” Anna said.

Anna said he will visit every State to sensitise the people in this regard for the next five years. He will work to pressurise the Government to give power to Gram Sabha. The anti-corruption crusader also said that he will work to bring the Right to Reject bill and the Right to Recall bill in the Parliament that will debar criminals from contesting the elections.