Chandigarh: With the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections approaching on December 14, the Punjab Police is set to deploy over 44,000 personnel to ensure the elections are conducted in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, assured the public on Wednesday that the force is fully prepared to manage security and maintain law and order throughout the state.
The results of the elections will be declared on December 17, following the counting of votes. To ensure the elections are conducted smoothly, DGP Yadav emphasized the importance of professional policing and urged all police officers to strictly adhere to the Model Code of Conduct.
In a statement, Special DGP Law and Order, Arpit Shukla, revealed that the security apparatus had been significantly strengthened. During a virtual meeting with senior officers, including Commissioners of Police (CPs), Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), and Range DIGs, Shukla outlined the deployment plan and measures taken to ensure security.
Enhanced Security Measures
As part of the preparations, at least 75% of the police force from various districts will be deployed for election duties. The CPs and SSPs have been instructed to set up robust inter-state and inter-district checkpoints (nakas) to monitor and prevent any unlawful activities. Additionally, these officers will conduct flag marches in their respective jurisdictions to instill confidence among the public.
Shukla further mentioned that coordination with the police departments of neighboring states has been established, with a request to place nakas along their borders to prevent any cross-border disturbances.
Polling Booths and Sensitive Areas
A total of 18,718 polling booths will be set up across 13,395 polling stations in Punjab. Of these, 860 stations have been marked as “hyper-sensitive,” while 3,405 have been classified as “sensitive.” The security plan includes intensive patrolling in these areas to preempt any potential disruptions.
With over 44,000 police personnel assigned to election duties, the force is being closely supervised by senior officers to ensure that all security protocols are followed. CPs and SSPs have been given clear instructions to focus on vulnerable and sensitive areas to prevent any untoward incidents.
The state police’s preparedness comes as a significant measure to reassure citizens that their safety is a top priority and that the elections will be conducted without interference.
As the state gears up for this crucial electoral process, authorities are confident that these extensive security measures will ensure a peaceful and transparent election, enabling voters to cast their ballots without fear or disruption.
