Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 30: In order to discuss and review the arrangements with regard to law and order, security and deployment of forces for upcoming Assembly elections in Districts of South Kashmir, Director General of Police (DGP), K. Rrajendra Kumar today visited Shopian and Kulgam and convened meetings of District Superintendents of Police at District Police Headquarters.
Addressing the meetings, Mr. Rajendra sought reports from the District Superintendents of Police with regard to law and order, security, achievements on anti-militancy front and preparedness for the Assembly elections. He stressed for greater synergy among the agencies to ensure free and fair elections in the range. He also stressed for maintenance of law and order to ensure the protection of dignitaries reaching districts of South Kashmir for campaigning and the candidates contesting the elections. Congenial atmosphere would help the people to exercise their franchise fairly, he said.
DIG, South Kashmir, Alok Kumar and the District Superintendents of Police of the Range gave a detailed resume of overall law and order, security scenario and election preparedness in their respective districts.
Mr. Rajendra impressed upon the officers present in the meeting to strengthen the intelligence gathering and maintain coordination with other sister agencies. He said the trouble makers and the sympathisers of anti-national elements should be kept under continuous vigil and their activities monitored. Any persons creating trouble for the people in their democratic right of franchise would not be tolerated, he added.
He urged that anti-militancy operations should continue and the election process should not affect normal policing. Continuous pressure should be mounted on the subversive including dormant elements to curb their activities. He asked the officers to identify hypertensive areas and deploy additional forces in these areas to ensure smooth conduct of elections. Night patrolling on daily basis should be ensured in the areas as these elements would try to hit soft targets to disrupt the peace. He said that the security arrangements for polling booths should be put in place well in advance, keeping in view the domination of the area. Besides maintaining law and order during the election campaign, security of the people and candidates should be focussed on priority.
The IGP (Kashmir Zone), A. G. Mir, who was accompanying the DGP also addressed the meetings and stressed for sterns efforts to maintain security, law and order in their respective districts during the elections.
Earlier, Mr. Rajendra inspected various ongoing police constructions in South Kashmir and commissioned 4-storey hostel Barrack with mess-cum-dinning hall and lavatory block at District Police Lines, Kulgam.
On the occasion, the Managing Director, Police Housing Corporation, Dilbag Singh apprised the DGP about the drawing of newly constructed buildings. He said that about 300 personnel would be accommodated in these barracks. The constructions have been completed within a period of two years by J&K Police Housing Corporation at a cost of Rs. 1.60 Crores.