Security measures, poll preparedness reviewed

Over 480 flying squads and 232 static surveillance teams have been formed to monitor the enforcement of the model code of conduct in view of the April 18 Lok Sabha polls in the state, officials said Monday.

Director General of Police (Elections), Tamil Nadu, Ashutosh Shukla conducted a review meeting here to review the election preparedness.

The meeting reviewed, among other things, poll process, law and order maintenance during the pre-poll and post-poll periods in the districts of West Zone of Salem, Coimbatore and Tirupur City, Salem and Coimbatore Ranges.

The meeting was told that 483 flying squads and 232 static surveillance teams have been formed to monitor the enforcement of MCC and 918 cases were booked for violation of the code.

Instruction was given to take up effective patrolling in the sensitive and vulnerable areas identified in certain pockets and also to identify and to optimally utilize resources like manpower, both serving police personnel and non-police personnel for the election duty, a release said.

Shukla emphasized the importance of uninterrupted communication for effective functioning of law and order machinery during election.

On the law and order front, the DGP instructed police officials to identify the places which are trouble prone and to form adequate number of Quick Reaction Teams (QRT) to ensure smooth conduct of poll process and maintenance of public order and tranquility during the election.

According to the release, to prevent Left Wing Extremist activities in the Forest areas in West Zone, Naxalite Special Division (NSD) teams and STF Teams have been engaged andadditional Flying Squad deployed in sensitive pockets.

West Zone IG K Periaiah, Coimbatore City Police Commissioner Sumit Sharan, Tiruppur City Police Commissioner Sanjeev Kumar, Salem range DIG Senthil Kumar, Coimbatore City Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sujith Kumar were among those who attended the meeting.