Tight security ensures peaceful counting of votes

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 23

Amid tight security and surveillance, four-tier security, anti-riots teams, paramilitary forces and water canon vehicles, the counting of votes polled in the Jalandhar constituency took place on a peaceful note at the Land Records Building, also called BLR building, located on the Kapurthala road. Even before entering the strongroom building where the EVMs were kept, every visitor had to go through the three-tier security arrangement. The whole BLR complex was guarded by nakas that were installed with metal detectors and luggage scanner. While entering the complex, vehicles were also monitored by the police to prevent any untoward incident and at every security checkpoint, around 10 security personnel, including commandos, were deployed.

Briefing about the security arrangements for the counting of votes for the LS elections, Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said: “Three-tier security is arranged before entering the strongroom building. Paramilitary forces in the first-tier security are deputed widely and in a broad manner, second tier had adequate force of armed police followed by the district police in the third-tier. Three separate gate entries were arranged for mediapersons, counting agents and political workers and candidates. Everyone was thoroughly checked at checkpoints. Around 1,000 police personnel, along with 18 gazetted officers, were deployed today. SP and DSP-level officers were present in the complex and available for every hour. They were in communication with each other via wireless gadgets.”

EVM and VVPAT machines were also kept under CCTV surveillance and to ensure law and order situation outside counting halls, rapid action force, quick response team, horseback team and others were present. The traffic near the BLR building was also diverted.