Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Feb 17: ADGP (law and order) Alok Mohan on Wednesday February 17 held a review meeting with police officials of the western range in view of the upcoming zilla panchayat (ZP) and taluk panchayat (TP) elections and said in a press meet later that all arrangements in this regard are in place.
"Today a review meeting was held in view of the zilla and taluk panchayat elections, in the presence of higher officers of the western range from Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada and Mangaluru. We have already done the homework in the city and across the district.
"There are a total of 2,737 polling booths in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikkamagaluru, out of which 268 are hypersensitive, 732 sensitive and 1,583 are normal. In Mangaluru, there are 362 booths, out of which 42 booths are hypersensitive, 134 sensitive, and 186 are normal. In Dakshina Kannada, out of 824 booths, 103 are hypersensitive, 289 sensitive, and 371 are normal. Chikkamagaluru there are 977 booths, and in Udupi 936," the ADGP said.
"There are a total of 154 naxal-affected booths in the western range, out of which 61 are in Dakshina Kannada, 54 in Udupi, and 39 are in Chikkamagaluru. Extra precaution has been taken and combing operations are in progress in these areas," he added.
About security arrangements for the elections, he said, "In western range limits, there 2,500 police personnel and an additional 3,000 will be deployed, apart from 2,000 home guards, special commandos and 25 KSRP forces. In Mangaluru, there are 300 police personnel and another 400 will be additionally deployed along with KSRP strikiing forces and special commandos. Everything will go on peacefully as in the first phase of the elections."
Asked if there was any threat to the elections from extremist left wings, he said, "We have already taken extra precautions. There is nothing significant and no Naxal activity. We have already held meetings with border police. The IGP, police commissioner and the SP have held meetings with Kerala police and we are keeping watch at checkposts."
On chances of communal unrest during elections, he said, "We are in close contact with all the community leaders and hopefully everything will go on peacefully. Preventive measures have been taken against trouble makers and those involved in habitual crimes under relevant sections as per law. Those who have history of criminal cases have been dealt with.
"Goonda Act has been invoked against 16 in the western range, apart from three in Mangaluru. Altogether, the the Act has been invoked against about 100 persons across the state," he added.
On the controversial transfer of former SI Pramod from Mangaluru rural police station, he said, "Pramod is a good officer. Transfer is part of our job."
IGP Amrit Paul, police commissioner Chandra Sekhar, SP Dr Sharanappa and others were present.