Appeals for calm and cooperation from the public
KOHIMA, FEBRUARY 24 (MExN): The DGP, Nagaland, Rupin Sharma said that the Nagaland Police have been endeavouring to ensure peaceful conduct of the February 27 polls. The intermittent instances of violence notwithstanding, DGP Sharma in a press release today said that the state police have been involved in a massive exercise for almost 3-4 months now for ensuring a successful and peaceful conduct of the election process.
The emphasis of the preparations has been on “optimal security with minimal inconvenience” to the public, stated the DGP. “The emphasis has been on preventive actions which act as a deterrent for the deviants and boost the morale of the public...”
Considering the scale of the job at hand, the DGP said the police forces have been proactive and the public cooperative.
In terms of armed security, he said that 280 companies of central and state police forces have already been deployed around the state besides the requisitioning of 3200 vehicles and arrangement of other logistics. The DGP further provided an overview of the other arrangements put in place.
Security overview
1. 84 Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) and 180 FSTs (Flying Squad Teams) throughout the State 2. CCTV camera surveillance of all inter-State and inter-district check-posts. 3. Equipping FST vehicles with cameras and body-worn cameras for patrolling parties 4. Checking of atleast 25 vehicles and 2 hotels per patrol or shift 5. Thorough checking of all vehicles since February 17 and impounding of vehicles without proper documentation 6. 2 police escorts to each candidate and “authorised security” to atleast 3 leaders of each political party. Provision for additional security (5 personnel) since February 17.
The DGP added that candidates desiring additional security can apply to the respective district police heads. “However, if a candidate wants mobile security detailment, we would request the candidates to provide the vehicles, while we provide the manpower.” A candidate not wanting additional security can refuse in writing and inform the SP concerned.
Preventive actions effected during the period were also highlighted. It included the depositing of 5182 numbers of arms, serving of 45 Non-Bailable warrants, 2121 preventive arrests, registering of 123 FIRs, 12 incidents of reported poll violence and seizing of 4 unlicenced arms and explosives. It added that some 38,977,724 bottles of liquor, 220kgs of ganja and cash amounting to Rs. 96 lakhs in total were seized. During the same period some 12,000 vehicles and 320 hotels/lodges have been checked.
The DGP further informed that the Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group has asked “the NNPGs that their cadres who hold cards and are entitled to carry arms may be asked not to do so.”
The Assam Rifles have intensified patrolling in the state, while the neighbouring states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have extended all possible cooperation with the three states agreeing to declare “dry days” ahead of elections. According to the DGP, the state has requisitioned almost 3000 vehicles from Assam alone.
Any information which may impact adversely upon security may be shared promptly through the following channels: DGP’s official WhatsApp - +91 82 588 29982, Facebook and Facebook Messenger - D G P Nagaland, PHQ Election Cell - +91 94 020 22902, Twitter - DGP Nagaland, email - rupinsharma@gmail.com. Besides these, contact details of senior police officers are available on the website nagapol.gov.in
