Police To Beef Up Security To Prevent Post-Counting Violence

Kakinada: The police in Kakinada, East Godavari, and the BR Ambedkar Konaseema districts are beefing up security to prevent likely law and order problems related to the June 4 counting of votes and declaration of results.

They are identifying the vulnerable and sensitive and hypersensitive areas, where aggressive actions like arson could be indulged in by mobs from rival parties. The security reinforcements would continue till June 6.

The Election Commission is monitoring the law and order situation related to the present elections in AP.

Telugu Desam leader and the former MLA of Pithapuram SVSN Varma has requested the police to beef up security around Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada (JNTUK) where the counting will be held on June 4, and in Pithapuram constituency where JS chief Pawan Kalyan is contesting against YSRC candidate Vanga Geetha.

The SPs of the three districts are assessing the sensitive and hypersensitive areas to deploy additional armed forces there. The BR Ambedkar Konaseema district SP, S Sridhar, told Deccan Chronicle that the elections were held peacefully, except for sporadic incidents.

He said that the vulnerable and hypersensitive areas are being assessed and a plan of action would be ready within two days. Additional forces will be deployed, if necessary.

Kakinada SP, Satish Kumar, said all the criminal cases filed till June 6 will be investigated separately and punishment given to the accused, under EC supervision. Special investigation teams are being formed to probe such criminal cases.

Addressing an awareness meeting held for the political parties in Kakinada on Wednesday, the SP urged the leaders and cadres to uphold law and avoid involvement in criminal cases.

Without prior permission, political parties should not take out processions after the counting. All parties are advised to cooperate with the election officials and the police to conduct the counting process smoothly. Ban orders under Section 144 and Section 30 are in force till June 6, he said.

Meanwhile, East Godavari district police, led by SP, P Jagadish, organised a “mob handling mock drill’’ at Pushkar Ghat in Rajamahendravaram on Wednesday. The concern was, “If anybody resorts to arson, how can the police handle the situation by protecting themselves and bring the situation under control?” The role of the fire department etc were exhibited in the mock drill.

The mock drill demo was held at Eluru also under the supervision of SP, Mary Prashanthi. She said that the police forces should give a warning to the mob initially. “If the warning is not heeded, the security forces would release tear gas with the permission of a court judge and bring the situation under control.”