After the Andhra Pradesh police were forced to be on the defensive following severe poll- related violent incidents, are now taking precautions to prevent such scenarios during and after counting of votes on June 4. Already, the central intelligence agencies have cautioned that similar violence incidents are likely to be repeated after polling in several places.
Keeping in view of these warnings, Election Commission of India (ECI) also directed the Union Home Ministry to keep central forces in the state for a fortnight even after counting of votes. In this regard, steps are being taken to use technology on a large scale.
The police are trying to identify villages, divisions, circles and police stations that are likely to face violent incidents, by using technology on the basis of previous data. They are also getting ready to make use of the Preventive Detention Act against those habituated violence promoters.
The department has already started the process of calling many people with a history of violence, to the stations for counseling and binding over villages. Special surveillance has been set up on the movements of rowdy sheeters.
It is reported that the police department is involved in expediting the process of installing CC cameras at the junctions where riots will occur. District collectors and police officials are advised to conduct joint press briefing conferences to alert the people on such incidents and also send a strong warning to problem makers.
Also, officials are taking steps towards creating awareness by visiting villages. The police department has declared a red zone (no flying zone) up to 2 kilometers from the strong rooms where the EVMs are kept.
Vijayawada Police Commissioner PhD Ramakrishna said on Monday that the flying of drones and balloons has been banned in those areas. It is reported that the department is following the same policy across the state.
Intelligence is predicting the possibility of riots in Palnadu, Tirupati and Anantapur districts as well as Vijayawada Central and Eastern constituencies. In this background, it is reported that the police department is already taking precautionary measures.
