Thiru. Ashutosh Shukla, IPS, Director General of Police, Elections, Tamil Nadu reviewed the security arrangements made for the peaceful conduct of Lok Sabha elections – 2019 and bye-elections to 7 assembly constituencies in the Cities and Districts of South Zone, in a free and fair manner.
The DGP Election stated that there are 10 Parliamentary Constituencies and 7 assembly constituencies where bye-elections scheduled to be held are spread over 9 Districts and two Police Commissionerates in South Zone.
A Total of 16475 polling stations are located in 8120 polling station locations. Out of which, 1485 polling station locations are identified as `Vulnerable’. He stated that polling will be held on 18.04.2019 (Thursday) from 07.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs in Madurai Parliamentary Constituency, consisting of six assembly segments i.e 188 – Melur, 189-Madurai East, 191-Madurai North, 192-Madurai South, 193 Madurai Central, 194 Madurai West.
The polling will be held between 0700 hrs and 1800 hrs, for the remaining constituencies in the zone.
He stated that entire strength of Local Police, State Armed Police and Armed Reserve strength will be deployed as per election norms during the pre-poll and poll process period to ensure proper security arrangements and to ensure free and fair poll.
In addition to that, 45 Companies of CAPF will be deployed at vulnerable polling station locations in the 10 Parliamentary constituencies.
The DGP further stated that 109 check posts are functioning round the clock with sufficient strength in the Zone to monitor and to maintain surveillance on the entry of vehicles.
398 Flying squads (FS) and 197 Static Surveillance Teams (SST) have been formed in the zone. The flying squads and Static Surveillance Teams will effectively carry out patrols to prevent distribution of cash/materials/gifts to the voters by any persons to influence the voters.
The Director General of Police, Election has further informed that adequate Striking Forces and 1522 Zonal Parties have been formed for smooth conduct of the polls.
One Commando team from Tamil Nadu Commando Force will be stationed at Madurai City to attend to any emergency.
Functioning of striking force will effectively minimize the response time of police in attending poll related issues.
The Night beats, night patrols and picket locations have been increased to ensure effective policing during the polling day as well as during pre-poll days.
Around 300 CCTV cameras are being installed in Madurai City to ensure proper monitoring and immediate action in polling locations where temple festival will be held.
An exclusive control room will be operational in all Districts and Cities during the poll day to attend to election related issues then and there without any loss of time. Regarding preventive measures, totally 83 persons have been detained under Tamil Nadu Act 14/1982 (Goondas Act) and action has been initiated against 3917 persons under security proceedings to curtail the activities of anti-social elements in the South Zone.
The DGP Elections has directed all the officers to brief the police personnel properly to make them aware of their responsibilities and to carry out their duties in an effective and impartial manner.
He concluded that all necessary security arrangements have been made in the South Zone to ensure conduct of the Lok Sabha elections -2019 and bye-elections in a free and fair manner and to ensure people to exercise their franchise peacefully.
Our Citizen Reporter from Madurai
Mr.T.C.Kumaran
Madurai]]>
