SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 28: In order to discuss and review the security plan and deployment arrangements for upcoming Assembly Elections in the State, a high level meeting was convened at Police Headquarters (PHQ) here this afternoon today. The meeting was chaired by Director General of Police (DGP), Mr. K. Rajendra Kumar and was attended by senior police and central para-military officers.
Mr. Rajendra, addressing the meeting, reiterated that anybody indulging in any subversive activity, which could create law and order problem in electoral process, would be dealt severely. He asked for maintaining continuous vigil on the activities of such elements and share the inputs to take any required action under law.
Mr. Rajendra impressed upon the participants to implement the action plan strictly for the security of candidates and polling booths. He said that the security arrangements for polling booths should be put in place, keeping in view the sensitiveness of the areas. Besides maintaining law and order during the election campaign, security of the candidates should be focussed on priority so that people could participate freely in democratic process, he said.
Mr. Rajendra disclosed that 520 additional companies of central para-military forces including CRPF, BSF, ITBP, SSB, CISF and RPF would be arriving to the State to strengthen the security grid during the elections. They are reporting in the State within days, he said. Arrangements with regard to their stay in different areas and their mobility, health care, heating and other required facilities as per the weather requirement have been finalized, the DGP added. He said that the additional forces would be fully equipped to maintain law and order and security during elections.
Mr. Rajendra stressed for better coordination among the forces to ensure free and fair elections. He said that joint meetings should be conducted frequently at different levels and share the inputs so that timely action is taken to deal any situation.
The DGP said that six Deputy Inspectors General of Police three in each Zone have been nominated as Nodal officers, who would ensure coordination among different security agencies. He stressed upon the Nodal officers to arrange frequent meetings and establish joint control rooms, besides maintaining communication network in the areas. He said that the places of public meetings and polling booths should be sensitized and required security arrangements put in place for the people participating in election process. Road Opening Parties (ROP) should be deployed on daily basis for ensuring free and secure movement of different political leaders and candidate in different areas.
The meeting was apprised about the arrangements put in place by various agencies and wings for smooth conduct of elections. Mr. Rajendra had threadbare discussions with regard to security scenario in different areas. He discussed facilities available in the existing transit camps of security forces in the State and logistics required for the manpower to be deployed.
Among others, the meeting was attended by ADsGP, Mr. S P Vaid, Mr. VK Singh and Mr. SM Sahai, IsGP, Dr. B Srinivas, Mr. AG Mir, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, IG (Ops) CRPF, IG (Adm) CRPF, IG BSF Frontier, DIG ITBP, DIG SSB and DIG CISF, Commandant RPF, AIsGP (PHQ), Mr. Tahir Sajjad and Mr. Aftab Ahmad Kakroo, Sr, ADO (PHQ), Mr. BA Shah and other police officers.