The Hindu : Front Page : Poll panel for shifting 3 top police officers

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Friday, Jan 02, 2009
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Poll panel for shifting 3 top police officers

J. Venkatesan

EC official to meet party representatives today
Attitude of State CEO needs scrutiny by EC: DMK

NEW DELHI: Taking a serious view of the inaction of the senior police officials connected with the Thirumangalam Assembly by-poll, the Election Commission on Thursday asked Chief Secretary K.S. Sripathi to transfer Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Madurai Range, S.S. Krishnamoorthy; Superintendent of Police, Madurai, M. Manohar and Deputy Superintendent of Police, Thiruparankundram, M. Sundaresan with immediate effect.

In a communication sent to the Chief Secretary, the Commission ordered posting of Amaresh Pujari, IPS, as DIG, Madurai Range; Prem Anand Sinha, IPS, as S.P. Madurai and Praveen Kumar Abhinapu, IPS, as Deputy SP and sought compliance report from the State government by 10 a.m. on Friday.

Commission sources said that the transfers were ordered after examining a report sent by the State Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta containing details of the ground situation and the measures required to ensure free and fair polls. Meanwhile, Deputy Election Commissioner J.P. Prakash is visiting Thirumangalam on Friday, where he would meet representatives of political parties and senior officials. He is also expected to probe into allegations made by the AIADMK and the DMK. Sources said a decision on deploying central paramilitary forces in the constituency would be taken after Mr. Prakash submits his report to the Commission.

The AIADMK had alleged violation of the model code of conduct by State Ministers and officials, distribution of money, intimidation and unauthorised use of vehicles. It wanted the Commission to restrain Mr. Azhagiri from visiting the constituency, citing previous poll-related violations in Madurai Central, Madurai West and Madurai Corporation elections.

On Thursday, Union Minister T.R. Baalu met Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami and submitted a memorandum alleging large-scale violence indulged in by AIADMK leaders in a calculated manner. The memorandum said that they indulged in violence to create an impression that the situation in the constituency was not conducive for poll.

“In short, they aim at the postponement of the by-election itself. ” It said “the attitude of State CEO Mr. Naresh Gupta also needs close scrutiny by the Election Commission.” It alleged that instead of responding to the complaint of unlawful activities of AIADMK leaders, Mr. Gupta had told the three DMK Members of Parliament that “tell all these things to your leader.”

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