TS Assembly elections: Special security for extremist-hit areas

Special security forces will be deployed in extremist-affected areas for smooth conduct of State Assembly elections besides taking other security measures, Director General of Police M Mahender Reddy said here on Friday.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Dr Rajat Kumar and other election officials held a one day review-cum-training programme with top police officials, including range DIGs, zonal IGs, Commissioners of Police and Superintendents of Police at Jalamandali on election security arrangements.

Later speaking to the mediapersons, the DGP said the training was held on the directions from Election Commission of India on three important subjects – conduct of elections, law and order and deployment of additional police personnel. “We discussed extensively the precautions to be taken to ensure free and fair elections based on the guidelines of the ECI,” Mahender Reddy said.

He said the department had already bound over rowdy sheeters and instructions were given to arms license holders to deposit their weapons at the nearest police stations. “Based on police request, the license holders have started depositing their weapons in view of the election code,” the DGP said.

During the meeting,



the CEO directed police officials to bring about awareness on EC apps such as Suvidha and C-Vigil for effective functioning of Police Department and explained how the Police department can utilise these electronic apps during the elections to ensure hassle-free polls. “During the training programme, the ECI officials clarified some doubts raised by the police officers,” Reddy said, adding that these trained officers will give training to respective district level officers at a later date.

The EC officials demonstrated the functioning of EVMs and VVPAT machines. The training programme also focused on protection of EVM machines before and after elections, liquor and huge cash transportation, check posts at the State borders. The DGP said that if required, the department was ready to take help from neighbouring State police for transparent elections in the State. “The EC officials explained the do’s and don’t’s during the day long training programme,” a police official said.

Mahender Reddy said internal departmental transfers would be completed by October 17. He said the process had already been initiated and it was mandatory in view of Assembly elections as per guidelines of the EC.