Free, fair and peaceful polls: Odisha Police holds meeting with neighbouring counterparts

The Odisha Police initiated preparations for the upcoming elections to ensure free, fair and peaceful polls. Director General of Police, Arun Kumar Sarangi, on Monday, held a cooperation meeting with DGPs, Range DIGs and SPs of the bordering states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh ahead of the forthcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

As per the instructions of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the meeting was held to ensure peaceful and impartial polls, apart from making necessary arrangements to prevent the trafficking of illegal arms, intoxicants, and cash during the elections, said Odisha DGP Arun Kumar Sarangi on Monday. 

As per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI), discussions were held at all levels with DIGs, Range DIGs, and SPs of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal on a range of issues related to black money, smuggling of illegal arms, narcotics and distribution of gifts. 

He added that a meeting with Andhra Pradesh will be held with a focus on the peaceful conduct of the polls in the states affected by Naxalism. 

“The meetings were held to discuss warrant execution, and intelligence sharing on the inter-state movement of money, narcotics, arms, and criminal elements. To check such things during elections, we have set up border check posts at different places for monitoring. Borders are under surveillance 24X7. We hope the election process ends smoothly.”