General Observer reviews election preparedness in South and West

NAMCHI, 09 Apr [IPR]: A review meeting was called by the General Observer for Parliamentary Constituency (South & West), G Ashok Kumar in the chamber of the District Collector (South) cum Returning Officer, Prabhakar Verma today to analyze the election proceedings in the South District.

He was briefed with the complete updated report of South District by the RO along with SP South, SG Gyatso who is the head of Law & Order. At the outset, Mr Kumar inquired about the security provisions arranged by the South Police Administration and South District Election Office in all the Polling Stations of South Sikkim’s 8 Assembly Constituencies particularly the critical stations. 

He further discussed about other imperative issues like Law & Order situation in the district and security reinforcement on Polling Day where the SP South said that the South Police Administration has deployed additional forces of West Bengal Armed Police (WBAP) and State IRBn Platoons in every Police Station of South District.

The SP also informed the Observer that extra forces of WBAP and State IRBn Platoons are deployed in those Assembly Constituencies identified as hypersensitive in this Election and added that the police personnel will be stationed in each Polling Station for the Poll Day to manage any law & order crisis.

He was further told by SP South that every SHO and SDPO Officials and Quick Response Teams (QRT) of every part of South District have been briefed and alerted to remain vigilant and responsive on law & order emergency at this hour. The Observer was informed about the regular pickets and inspection carried out by the Police in all the areas of South Sikkim.

On the inquiry of number of law and order cases registered in the Police Stations of South District during this election period, the SP South informed the Observer that as on 31 March 2014 onwards 10 cases were registered in Namchi PS where 27 persons were arrested, 4 cases in Jorethang PS where 19 people were arrested and 2 cases were registered in Rabong PS and 3 persons were arrested in this case.

Upon the inquiry of the Observer, SP and RO both reported that 14 Temi Namphing Assembly Constituency has been recorded as the most peaceful constituency in this district till date and 13 Namthang Rateypani Assembly Constituency has been identified as hyper sensitive. SP reported that the Police Administration (South) is 24X7 on their guard and alert to deal with the emergency situations especially at this election hour to ensure peace and security and take every step to conduct the General Election 2014 in a peaceful atmosphere here in South Sikkim.

Mr Kumar asked the RO regarding the supervision of arrangements for voters who are physically disabled, visually impaired and senior citizens during the Polling Day and the RO confirmed about the necessary facilities arranged for the said voters. RO South updated the Observer on the procedure & management of Polling Day and Postal Ballot activities.

Mr Kumar also inspected some Polling Stations of South Sikkim today and he will head towards West District on Thursday for similar kind of interaction there.

This review meet was attended by the General Observer (South) Dr R Selvaraj, Nodal Officers ADM South Kapil Meena, SDPO Namchi Gegee Norbu, SDM (HQ) Samdup Bhutia, ADC (Dev) Rabong Tashi Chopel and Deputy Secretary Elections Bishal Mukhia.