Chief Secretary takes stock of security, election arrangements

Srinagar, Aug 20: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo Tuesday held a meeting of top civil administration and Police Department to take stock of the security arrangements made for the smooth conduct of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Besides the Director General of Police and Principal Secretary, Home, the meeting was also attended by Special DGP, Special DG Crime, ADGPs, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Secretary Transport, IGP Kashmir, IGP Jammu, Transport Commissioner, DIGs, Deputy Commissioners, SSPs, and other concerned officers.

The outstation officers participated in the meeting through video conferencing.

The Chief Secretary impressed upon the concerned authorities to make robust arrangements for additional companies of CAPFs required in each district.

He asked for the identification of feasible locations for camping for these security forces, which are amenable in terms of basic amenities like water, power, and toilets.

Dulloo also sensitised the administration to look into the security and accommodation of contesting candidates.

He advised for making adequate arrangements for such protected persons along with other requirements for their campaigning and electioneering.

The Chief Secretary implored the Transport Department to make a prior roadmap in collaboration with the respective districts for making available the requisite number of buses, LMVs, and HMVs for ferrying polling staff, security forces, and other poll materials.

He enjoined upon the respective Divisional Commissioners to personally monitor these activities along with specifying places, and carrying out necessary repairs, if any before the actual dates of polling there. He directed to submit daily reports about the progress made on this account.

Dulloo took appraisal from the concerned Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and Transport Department about their preparedness and plans to meet the requirements.

He asked them to observe utmost coordination with each other so that this democratic exercise is completed in a very congenial manner with a large participation of the people.