3,000 cops to ensure fair, peaceful elections in Amritsar

Over 3,000 police personnel, including senior officers, have been deployed to ensure peaceful conduct of the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections scheduled for Sunday.

The police have identified over 250 polling stations as critical or sensitive, where additional forces will be stationed to prevent any untoward incident.

SSP Amritsar Rural Sohail Qasim Mir on Friday briefed the force at a meeting held at the Daburji police lines, issuing detailed instructions to SHOs and other officials. Speaking to the media, the SSP said adequate deployment had been ensured at sensitive booths and warned that no one would be allowed to disrupt law and order.

Meanwhile, the district administration has imposed prohibitory orders within a 100-metre radius of all counting centres.

Voting for 24 Zila Parishad zones — including Ajnala, Chamiari, Jasraur, Lopoke, Chowgawan, Vichhova, Harsha Chhina, Jagagir, Khasa, Varpal Kalan, Bandala, Jandiala Guru, Majitha, Bhangali Kalan, Kathunangal, Tarsikka, Tangra, Wadala Kalan, Beas, Mehta, Attari, Ramdass, Khurmanian and Muradpura — and 10 Block Samiti committees — including Ajnala, Attari, Chogawan, Harsha Chhina, Jandiala Guru, Majitha, Majitha-2, Ramdas, Rayya and Verka — will be held on December 14.

According to police officials, 750 polling stations have been set up for the elections, of which 255 are classified as critical and 495 as non-critical. All personnel have been briefed thoroughly to ensure free and fair polling.

Gazetted officers have been deputed to supervise security arrangements in every zone, while patrolling teams will maintain constant vigil. Police also conducted flag marches in sensitive areas yesterday.