Inter- state police meet for smooth conduct of polls

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, January 16

Garhwal Commissioner Vinod Sharma today presided over an inter-state meeting of police officials regarding the smooth and fair conduct of the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Police officials of the bordering districts of Uttar Pradesh, viz Bijnore, Muzzafarnagar and Saharanpur and Uttarakhand districts of Haridwar and Dehradun, participated in the high-level meeting. Garhwal Commissioner directed the police officials to ensure intense checking drives at border areas and round-the-clock patrolling in wake of Assembly elections.

He also suggested resorting to Whatsapp social networking service by making specific police official groups to disseminate information and remaining in direct contact during election phase. He also laid emphasis on better coordination, communication and joint checking drives.

Earlier, Election Commission observer Sudha Gupta held a meeting of government officials at August Kranti CCR Tower.

Sudha urged the voters to cast their votes as it was their democratic right and a chance to have a direct say in selecting the government.

She directed the officials to ensure that Divyang voters were given special facilities at polling venues and said due care needed to be taken in this regard.

District Election Officer Harbans Singh Chug said efforts were being made to increase voting percentage in the district. Sub-district election officer Dr Abhishek Tripathi said a mass awareness campaign, with help of schools and educational institutes, was being undertaken to ensure that people cast their votes.

During the meeting, City Magistrate Jai Bharat Singh, Sub Divisional Magistrate Manish Kumar, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Bhagwanpur, Anil Gabryal, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Lakshar, Kaustumbh Mishra, Additional District Election Officer PB Budhlakoti, DPRO Ramesh Chand Tripathi, Shri Ganga Sabha president Purushottam Gandhi, NGOs, NSS, NCC, Scout Guide representatives and women BLOs were also present.