Police Gear Up For Local Body Polls, Identify Sensitive Areas

DGP Harish Kumar Gupta has directed police officials to complete preparations for the forthcoming local body elections before the issue of notification - with emphasis on peaceful, transparent and impartial polling.

A regional preparedness meeting was held at the Guntur police conference hall on Tuesday to review the arrangements in Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Prakasam, Markapuram and Nellore districts. IG (law and order) Madhusudan Reddy, IG Sarva Shrestha Tripathi and Guntur Range DIG Fakirappa were present.

Gupta reviewed the local body profile of the six districts and asked the officials to identify sensitive and hyper-sensitive villages and polling stations based on previous election-related clashes. DSPs would personally inspect hyper-sensitive areas and assess local issues.

Senior cops have been directed to maintain surveillance on troublemakers, rowdy-sheeters and suspects and initiate preventive action and bind-over proceedings, including bonds of up to `10 lakh wherever necessary. Checkposts should be strengthened to curb illicit liquor, cash distribution and illegal transportation.

Officials were also asked to review cases registered in faction-prone villages in 2021 and 2024.

The DGP said polling stations should be categorised as normal, sensitive and hyper-sensitive, with security deployed accordingly. Route mobiles, mobile parties and striking forces should be kept ready. Special attention should be given to ballot box transportation, strong rooms and counting centres.

Officials will have to ensure the deposit of licensed weapons and strictly enforce EC guidelines on rallies and meetings. Coordination with returning officers, revenue and municipal officials was also stressed.

Tripathi called for cordon and searches to detect illegal weapons and identify persons likely to trigger violence or circulate provocative content on social media. The cyber wing should monitor fake news, rumours and inflammatory posts and immediately clarify misinformation.

Guntur SP Vakul Jindal said all measures were being taken to ensure a peaceful atmosphere and instil confidence among voters.