Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Now, spotlight is on polls

The security scheme includes maps of each constituency with special focus on sensitive and hypersensitive pockets, reports S. Vijay Kumar

Bandobust at polling stations/counting centres, anti-sabotage checks at vulnerable points, protection to vital installations and VVIP security. This is the priority of the police in Madurai, days ahead of the Assembly elections.

Besides mobilising the entire strength, the police are also roping in services of para-military forces, Armed Reserve police, Tamil Nadu Special Police, Home Guards, fire service personnel, Forest department staff, ex-servicemen, Tamil Nadu Railway Police and retired police officials for election duty.

For Madurai city and district, 10 companies of para-military forces will be deployed for poll duty. Women companies drawn from the special police battalions will be utilised for managing women voters. Of the 10 Assembly constituencies in the district, three are covered fully and two partly in city.

The election security scheme drawn up by the police includes maps of each constituency with special focus on sensitive and hypersensitive pockets. The location of hospitals, police stations, out-posts, fire stations and ambulances will find place in the scheme with telephone numbers.

Apart from wireless network, the law enforcing agencies will mainly depend on mobile phones for communication. "All officers above the rank of Sub-Inspector will have a mobile phone. The scheme will comprise their names, mobile phone numbers and specific location. We intend to hire as many vehicles as possible and reduce the reaction time. The arrangement will be such that an armed police team, on information, will reach any place of disturbance within five minutes," says an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

List of criminals

The intelligence sleuths have prepared a list of wanted criminals and extremists, which will be circulated to officials above the rank of ACP/DSP. Swift Action Force/Rapid Action Force and striking force teams attached to senior police officers will handle emergency situations. "We also have to ensure compliance of the model code of conduct. Several rounds of meetings with representatives of all political parties were held to expose them to the guidelines of the Election Commission of India."

With VIP movements expected till the first week of May, the police want to minimise inconvenience to road users caused by traffic regulations/blocks. But for the Chief Minister and VVIPs covered by the Special Protection Group, traffic blocks are not required.

"Whenever roads are blocked, we have given instructions to traffic police to ensure that alternative routes are kept free. Traffic blocks shall commence only minutes before the arrival of a VIP convoy," says the official.

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