3-tier security at vote counting centre: Police Commissioner

Karimnagar: Three-tier tight security arrangements have been made at vote counting centres to prevent any untoward incidents, informed Commissioner of Police VB Kamalasan Reddy.

Speaking at a press meet at the Police Commissionerate here on Wednesday, the Police Commissioner said all the counting officials and staff including police personnel will be at the counting centres by 5 am on the day. Tight security arrangements were made at the strongrooms with CRPF police force. EVMs will be transported from strongrooms to the counting centres under the strict vigilance of security personnel.

The surrounding areas of the counting centre - SRR Degree and PG College - was checked with dog and bomb disposal squads. Candidates, agents, officials, who will attend for the counting duty and staff must enter the counting centre through Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD) and must cooperate with the security officials.

Only those, who has the identity card issued by the Election Commission will be allowed to enter the counting centre and they should not bring match boxes, cigarette lighters or any other inflammable things

to the counting centres, said the Commissioner.

As many as 1,000 cops were deployed for security arrangements on the counting day at the counting centres. Two DSPs, 10 ACPs, 21 inspectors, 75 ASIs along with police personnel were deployed to monitor the counting process. About 40 CCTV cameras were installed in the surrounding of counting

centres along with using three drone cameras.

It is learnt that some of the political party leaders are hiring function halls to accommodate their party cadre and arranging meals.

The owners of the function halls were warned not to give their halls for political leaders for such purpose and if they do, cases will be booked against them along with seizing the halls, Police Commissioner

Kamalasan Reddy warned.

On the day of counting of votes 144 section is imposed across the Commissionerate limits from Wednesday 5 pm to Friday 6 pm. There is no permission for meetings, gatherings, dharnas, protests, road blockades and success meets along with burning of crackers.

Action would taken against those, who violate the rules, as per the law, added Commissioner of Police Kamalasan Reddy.