The Hindu              04.09.2013

BMC polls: security forces conduct flag march in wards

Armed police have started flag march in different wards
of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) as part of enhancement of
security for maintenance of law and order during the continuing process
of elections of the BMC.

Amitabh Thakur, Deputy
Inspector-General (DIG) of police, southern range, is monitoring the
security arrangements all around the city through patrolling. In an
effort to reach out extreme congested areas even cycles are being used
during patrolling by the police officials. On Monday late night, the DIG
along with other police officials came out on cycles to take stock of
security arrangement and law and order situation in different areas of
the city.

On Tuesday, armed security forces conducted
flag march in five wards and such flag marches would continue in
various parts of the city till the end of the election process, said the
DIG. To enhance police presence in the BMC area, five more platoons of
extra force would be deployed by Wednesday. Seven platoons of extra
forces would be deployed in other urban centres of Ganjam district where
local body elections are to be held. One extra platoon of security
forces would also be deputed to Paralakhemundi in Ganjapati district for
the urban body polls.

Strict orders

Extra
vehicles have been provided to Berhampur and Ganjam police districts
for increasing patrolling during urban body election process. Each
police station in Berhampur now has at least three vehicles for
patrolling. All commercial establishments and liquor shops have been
given strict orders to pull down their shutters by 10 p.m.

There
were allegations that some criminals lodged in Berhampur circle jail
were also involved in threatening candidates contesting the BMC polls.
During a raid inside the Berhampur circle jail on Monday two mobile
phones have been seized. “We are now investigating the call details of
these two mobile phones,” Mr. Thakur said.

DIG of southern range takes stock of the security arrangements and law and order situation.