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.