Amritsar, February 4
The Election Commission has summoned the Punjab Chief Secretary, Mr K.R. Lakhanpal, and the Director-General of Police, Mr Rajdeep Singh Gill, to the Capital tomorrow for an overall review of situation in the state.
The Chief Election Commissioner, Mr Gopalaswamy, confirmed that a meeting with top functionaries of the Punjab Government has been called for tomorrow. When asked whether this meeting was in connection with the incidents of violence
reported from Beas and the sale of photo identity cards in some parts of Punjab in general and Ferozepore in particular, Mr Gopalaswamy said “it was a general review meeting”.The commission, he said, was waiting for its reports from its observers and other sources. As of now the situation in Punjab was normal and peaceful.
The deployment of paramilitary forces would start from tomorrow.
He said 50 per cent of the paramilitary forces to be deployed in the state for election duty would come from the state and the remaining from the Centre. The Central paramilitary forces have already started deployment in the state.
Mr Gopalaswamy confirmed that when the Deputy Chief Election Commissioner, Mr R. Bhattacharya, was about to leave for Punjab a few days ago, “a complaint was received about the sale of photo ID cards. He was told to ask observers for a report and also meet the complainant, if possible”.
Talking about Beas, Mr Gopalaswamy said the commission had told the Punjab Government to take adequate steps to ensure that peace in the state was not disrupted.
When asked about complaints being made against a senior police functionary of Guru Harsahai, he said the commission was waiting for the report.
The Director-General of Police, Mr R.S. Gill, said no specific agenda has been set for the meeting.
Meanwhile, Mr Gill said two cases had been registered in Ferozepore in connection with the sale of voter identity cards. Some people who had reportedly been associated with the sale and purchase of voter ID cards were also being questioned.
