Police step up security ahead of panchayat elections in Malerkotla

Security has been beefed up ahead of the panchayat elections that are scheduled to take place on October 15.

The police have set up inter-district nakas on highways and roads that connect the outer world with the intent to check the inflow of contraband and weapons. They have also undertook proactive measures to check the movement and intrusion of antisocial elements in the guise of visitors.

Police officials said highway surveillance emerged as a significant tool for proactive measures being taken to maintain law and order in this belt as Ludhiana-Malerkotla-Sangrur, Malerkotla-Khanna, Malerkotla-Patiala and Malerkotla-Raikot roads that connect the region with Sangrur, Patiala, Khanna, Barnala and Ludhiana.

They said the circle officers, Kuldeep Singh, Davinder Singh Sandhu and Rajan Sharma, have been asked to organise special nakas in their respective subdivisions of Malerkotla, Amargarh and Ahmedgarh.

SSP Gagan Ajit Singh said security has been enhanced around all polling stations, government installations, educational institutes, railway stations, bus stops, religious places and busy markets due to the ensuing panchayat elections. He said this has been done to instil confidence among residents and demoralise antisocial elements including drug peddlers.

The SSP said office-bearers and activists of constitutional, social and religious organisations in rural localities have been roped in to sensitise residents about the significance of the preservation of the sanctity of the democratic process for electing sarpanches and panches through voting without any coercion, allurement or discrimination on the basis of caste and creed.

The SSP said the police department was committed to ensuring peace and tranquillity in the region. He said the police were working round-the-clock to eradicate drugs and other social evils with the help of residents. He said, “Though we have already made adequate arrangements to maintain peace and tranquillity in the region, circle officers, SHOs and beat officers have been asked to remain vigilant till the election process is completed at 176 villages of the district.”

The SSP said authorities at educational institutes, commercial organisations, banks and industrial houses in rural parts of the district had been asked to ensure CCTV cameras installed at their establishments were in working condition.