THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, April 20: Police officials have been asked to follow the SoP (standard operating procedure) strictly. There must be no misadventurism.
Palamu DIG Y S Ramesh said he has asked the police officers to adhere to the SoP, as strict adherence to it will save many embarrassing situations.
‘Palamu is a sensitive district’
He said Palamu is a sensitive district. “It’s politically sensitive. It has issues of naxalism and law and order, and hence, it is a challenging one which we have to overcome,” he added.
Palamu has a history of Naxalism, and it has remained Naxal-affected for a long time. Here, strategies and planning matter most, reminded the DIG.
Y S Ramesh had a brief stint here in Palamu as its SP long ago when extremism was widespread. This IPS officer was known to deal with extremism with professional patience without pushing any panic button then.
Palamu had seen quite a few SPs here when it was in the undivided Bihar. These SPs used to push the panic button merely knowing that squads of the then-naxal outfit CPI-ML Party Unity had sneaked into Palamu from Aurangabad in Bihar. The CPI-ML Party Unity naxal outfit was as deadly as the MCC (Maoist Communist Centre).
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Accommodation and transportation for forces
“The CAPF is coming. We are to arrange for their accommodation and transportation. The CAPF will have their area of operation,” he added.
The CAPF will be making area dominance and confidence-building measures.
He reminded that booths will be meticulously distributed for security cover, very precise, and flawless.
He said, “I reviewed the preparations for the polls so far. The SP and her team have achieved considerable results in disposing of the NBWS (non-bailable warrants) and bonding down dubious elements under section 107.”
“Madam SP and her team have done well in terms of arms verification,” he said.
“Forces must be acquainted with the induction and de-induction,” he added.
Police officers were briefed about induction and de-induction.
Poor connectivity in Palamu
Ramesh agreed that there are shadow areas here in Palamu where cellular connectivity is tough.
The DIG said a service provider has assured us of one tower coming up. It will ease the issue of the shadow areas.
When told that Palamu has many roads where there is no alternative route to retreat, rather, coming and going are to be done on the same road, the DIG said, “We are evolving strategies to combat this issue. It concerns us the most. We know there are roads like this where the retreat is nowhere around except negotiating with the same route through which one has gone.”
P minus 2 booths
On P minus 2 booths, the DIG very firmly but politely said, “It’s not in the fitness of things to talk about the P minus 2 booths as concerns about security of forces, polling parties, and voters are right at the top of our priority list.”
The DIG didn’t rule out the relocation of booths but said ” The proposal for relocation is ready. It’s to go to the CEO and then to the ECI. It’s the ECI that takes the final call.”
However, Ramesh said that once the issue of booth relocation takes shape, it will be made public. After all, it’s the voters’ right to know where they are to vote. He reiterated that the relocation of booths will be announced well in advance.
The DIG further added, “The last time that the CEO had come, he had assured us of the availability of food and drinking water for the security forces right at the booths itself. There will be welfare measures for the cops right at the booths.”
He agreed that weather, temperature and locations of booths at a greater distance from the other booths are something that makes us too concerned as we are determined and committed to having a free and fair election here.
