Odisha DGP Holds Meeting With Border States On Poll Preparations

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police will coordinate with neighbouring states to ensure free and fair elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly, said DGP Arun Sarangi on Monday.

Speaking to media persons after chairing a meeting on the poll preparedness with senior officials of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Jharkhand, Sarangi said as per the direction of the Election Commission of India (ECI), they discussed measures on border security during the elections.

“In order to check illegal transport of cash, liquor, narcotics and firearms from outside the state during the polls, Odisha Police has set up border check posts and deployed forces in the districts. The police will strictly check all vehicles crossing the border,” he said.

The DGP said he would hold a meeting with the officials of Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to discuss measures for holding elections in Maoist areas in Odisha.

SPs of border districts and DIGs along with Intelligence and officials of other departments, who attended the meeting through video-conferencing, were told to execute pending warrants and arrest the anti-socials. Besides, they have been directed to take steps for curbing illegal transport of narcotics and cash during the polls.

On the ECI direction to check misinformation and fake news, Sarangi said Odisha Police has a social media cell to keep a tab on misinformation. Besides, an IG rank officer is keeping a watch on the print, electronic and digital media to prevent spread of fake news, he added.

It may be noted that the ECI has issued notification for holding elections in Odisha in four phases from May 13.