Addl forces deployed on highways to ensure peaceful elections
CAPF Personnel to assist local police during polls
Round-the-clock patrolling established for safe electoral process
Srinagar, Sept 30: Ahead of the third and final phase of the Assembly elections, security arrangements have been intensified across Jammu and Kashmir. Additional security personnel are being deployed on highways and vital road links to prevent any untoward incidents, officials reported on Monday.
Maqsood Ul Zaman, Baramulla DIG expressed satisfaction about the security arrangements in line with the guidelines of Election Commission of India (ECI) in Baramulla district.
Talking to reporters, he said adequate arrangements have been placed as per the ECI guidelines. “Whatever the guidelines are, strictly as per those guidelines, we have made security arrangements. I have just come here to see whether those arrangements are as per the directions or not. I am quite satisfied with the arrangements we have made,” he said.
Senior Superintendent of Police Sopore, Divya-D said they have made adequate security arrangements in all the places for the smooth and peaceful conduct of elections in the Constituency.
“We have seen good people’s participation in the rallies and campaigning, and expressed hope for a good voter turnout. This is the beauty of democracy. I request everyone to come forward and cast their vote for the candidate of their choice,” she said.
Talking to reporters, SSP Bandipora Harmeet Singh said that the situation in the district is peaceful. All the security arrangements have been finalized, and we are hopeful for peaceful elections in the district.
He said that everything has been set in place for the peaceful and successful last phase of the assembly elections in Bandipora district.
Similarly adequate arrangements have been placed for Kupwara district also. Multiple checkpoints have been placed along the Srinagar-Jammu highway to monitor to keep track of the commuters. Frisking has been intensified along the major roads and highways,” the official said.
The official said that the deployment of CAPF personnel will not only provide security at polling stations but also assist local police in maintaining law and order in areas prone to disturbances.
“So far adequate security arrangements have been made for the 3rd and last phase scheduled on 1st October. There is round-the-clock patrolling of all routes by forces personnel during daytime and through 360-degree camera-fitted Mobile Bunker Vehicles (MBVs),” he said.
In Jammu, police and paramilitary forces have established barricades at multiple locations in the city, as well as in other major towns, to facilitate vehicle inspections.
“Random searches of cars and motorcycles are being conducted to thwart any subversive plans by potential terrorists. Plans for preparing safe routes for the movement of voters and facilitating the security personnel deployed for election duties,” he said.
The police official said Critical polling locations in north Kashmir have been identified and strategies were devised to ensure heightened security measures at these key sites to deal with any potential threats and maintain the sanctity of the electoral process.
“Ground personnel are being regularly briefed, and grassroots-level synergy is crucial for optimal results. Night patrolling has been ordered in hypersensitive and border areas to prevent any subversive activities,” he said.
The top police official said Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and other units will remain active and inter-district checkpoints are set up to ensure a safe environment for polls.
On Tuesday, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone V.K. Birdi directed officials to identify the gap areas in respective areas and address the issues at the earliest.
He briefed the participating officers regarding the overall election preparedness and arrival of CAPFs to the UT of J&K.
“During the meeting, all the district SSsP were briefed about the phase wise deployments available, inter-intra district movement of forces and their induction, de-induction in the districts,” he said.
The Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone, V. K Birdi said that on Tuesday a meeting was held at the Police Control Room Kashmir to review the law & order situation of the zone.
He directed the officers to meticulously prepare, plan and monitor their respective areas of responsibility to prevent any untoward law & order outbreak.
He directed district SSsP, Cyber cell and IT & Social media cells to monitor the social media and identify the rumour mongers and those who post incriminating material.
IGP Birdi emphasized strict adherence to SOPs and stressed upon conducting coordination meetings with the public to ensure peace and calm in the valley.
