15,306 cops guard 835 polling stations
Staff Reporter
On the directives of Punjab Inspector General of Police Inam Ghani, the Punjab Police ensured foolproof security arrangements for the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, which resulted in a peaceful conduct of polling across the province.
According to details, Punjab IG Police Inam Ghani monitored the situation from time to time while detailed instructions were issued to CCPO Lahore, all RPOs, CPOs and DPOs of the province before the elections.
In a letter sent by the IG Police to all the supervisory officers of the province, it was directed that CCPO Lahore, all RPOs, CPOs and DPOs should visit sensitive polling stations in their districts, review the situation and ensure security.
For the elections, 835 polling stations and 1,585 polling booths were set up across the province for which 15,306 police officers and personnel were deployed for security while 859 police vehicles remained in field all the day across the province.
Giving instructions in the letter, it was further said that the candidates should be bound that their private guards will not display weapons under any circumstances.
All DPOs, traffic police and special branches will ensure implementation of the security plan under their supervision while DPOs, SDPOs and SHOs will visit polling stations to review the ground realities, traditions and difficulties.
The letter further said that special squads of police should be formed on the occasion of the elections and each mobile squad would be connected to the police station as well as the district control room through wireless.
Anti-Riot Force troops were put on high alert to deal with any uncertainty in sensitive areas while all election personnel were given an effective briefing on their sensitivity of duty, security arrangements and all threats including terrorism.
Intelligence operators of Special Branch, CTD and District Police also remained on high alert to seek information and monitor the situation. Moreover, additional forces were deployed at sensitive locations to deal with the uncertainty and reserve personnel were also deployed in police lines.
The letter stressed that strict observance of Corona SOPs should be ensured in all cases in view of the fourth wave of Corona, while SDPOs and SHOs should maintain close liaison with the election staff at polling stations in their areas.
The letter further said that holding rallies or aerial firing in the wake of victory after the elections is not acceptable in any case and therefore timely steps are being taken in this regard
On the direction of IG Punjab, special care was taken for the welfare, duty timing and provision of facilities to the personnel deployed on election duty while all the supervisory officers played the role of ideal team leaders and took best performances from the subordinate staff on the occasion of important national responsibility.
