9 companies of security forces guard city

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 15

Police Commissioner SS Srivastava on Wednesday held a meeting with senior police officials to review the security arrangements for the May 19 Lok Sabha polls. He said around nine companies of the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Tamil Nadu armed police had arrived while special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams were also there for security during the elections.

Srivastava said there were 309 polling stations, having 811 polling booths. Out of these, 101 polling stations have been declared vulnerable so extra forces would be deployed at these places.

He said the security had been beefed up in the holy city and special checkpoints were installed on the roads besides entry and exit points of the city. He said PCR, motorcycle patrolling and foot patrolling had been intensified in the crowded areas. Police teams have been searching vehicles. An eagle eye is being kept on people staying in hotels and inns to ensure that supporters of different political parties or leaders from outside may not vitiate the peaceful atmosphere here.

He said police officials were told to remain on roads and do checking to nail the notorious people.

The police commissioner also urged the people not to get swayed by the provocative material on social media and refrain from spreading rumours. If anybody is found indulged in any such activity, strict action will be taken, he added.