Law and Order Issues Pertaining Police and CPF.

            With the announcement of the Assembly elections, 2011, there are several issues that we need to discuss and sort with the police authorities in the run up to the elections. SDOs/ROs shall be expected to sort out these issues in due course. Following is an illustrative list of information to be shared with them or the probable issues to be discussed and sorted out:

1. Sending daily LOR by the police and sending the same to respective ends.
2. Submission of daily reports on activities by Static Surveillance Team and Flying Squad in prescribed proforma as per Annex 8 and 9 of Instructions on Expenditure Monitoring.
3. Matters/complaints pertaining pure law and order to be forwarded to the police for disposal.
4. Deployment of Executive Magistrates/Zonal Executive Magistrates. Police to give suggestions for the same.
5. Arms Deposition with the police stations/dealers. Special cases to be referred to the District Magistrate’s Office for exemption, if any, with justification.
6. Coordination meeting with neighbouring districts.
7. Conduct of joint raids/operations/patrolling with neighbouring districts.
8. Sharing inputs/information/intelligence with neighbouring districts.
9. Nodal Officers in neighbouring districts for coordination.
10. Naka/Check-points at various locations to check movements of vehicles carrying anti-socials/cash/arms/ammunition etc. Deployment of Static Surveillance Team at Thana level at specific points with an intimation to Flying squad at S.D.O level
11. Naka on other side of the borders shall be of great use.
12. Joint movement with Sector Officers in vulnerable hamlets/Voter Segments and collecting information about the movement of Probable trouble mongers and strengthening CBM activities for electors. Preparation of Micro-plan for movement of Sectors on P-1day&p day (For LWE affected areas).
13. Flying Squads and Static Surveillance Teams to actively coordinate their functions with sector officers/MCC squads.
14. Defacement removal from govt buildings and lodging of suo moto FIRs.(Formal Complaint with P.S).
15. Issuance of notice for defacement of private buildings on receipt of complaints. Check whether copy of permission submitted to R.O/authorized Officer. If not, issue notice for removal as per format supplied to him. If not complied within 3 days, lodge complaint at P.S. for taking action as per Sec 23AW.B .Panchayat (Amendment) Act, 2006/121(4)W.B Municipal act,2006 as the case may be.
16. Execution of NBWs.
17. Preventive booking of trouble mongers. Submit to the respective S.D.Os/R.Os the list of Probable trouble Mongers who have not been booked as yet for further follow up action with NGRO.
18. Seizure of illegal arms/ammunition/weapons/bombs etc.
19. Enforcement measures against illegal liquor dens.
20. Prohibitory orders under 144 Cr.PC against carrying of Arms.
21. Proclamation of Dry Day on poll-eve and counting-eve.
22. No encroachment removal unrelated with MCC after issuance of Press Note.
23. Security at training, DCRC, EVM commissioning, strong rooms and counting venues.
24. Preparation of Security and Force Deployment Plan with Telephone Directory.
25. Preparation of Communication Plan for shadow zones.

26. Nodal Police Officer for coordination on election-related issues including postal ballots.(Filled in Form -12 to be submitted WITHIN 30.3.2011 to the D.N.O).
27. Police Tagging with Sector vehicles carrying polling personnel on DCRC day (P-1).
28. Regulation of traffic on DCRC day.
29. Enforcement of prohibition on loudspeakers as per order of Hon’ble High Court order.
30. Permission for meeting/rallies by political parties along with compulsory submission of expenditure plans (Annex16 of Instructions on Expenditure Monitoring).
31. Processions should not disturb traffic movements.
32. No picket/demonstration in front of private houses.
33. Vehicles permits are to be checked/verified from time to time. The list of permitted vehicles to be obtained from the respective ROs/Transport Cell.
34. No vehicle to be allowed without a permit. Vehicles with duplicate/zerox permits are to be seized till original permit is produced. Permits to be clearly displayed.
35. Effigy burning during the prevalence of MCC is not allowed.
36. Outsiders not to be allowed to be in the constituencies after campaigning is over.
37. Area Route Maps to be given to the CPFs.
38. Guest House-wise Nodal/Liaison Officers for CPF officers.
39. Briefing with the COs with a list of Dos and Don’ts along with basic guidelines (Compendium Vol-4).
40. Arrangements for the accommodation and transportation of CPF.
41. Regular liaison with CPF Commanding Officers.
42. Area domination/route marching/raids with CPFs to round up absconding/offending persons.
43. CBM activities along with civil sector officers and senior officers.
44. Newspaper complaints/violation reports to be properly inquired.
45. Time schedules of complaint disposal not being maintained.
46. Sanitizing RO’s chamber/premises during nomination.
47. No more than three vehicles to be allowed within 100 metres of RO chamber.
48. No more than four persons to be allowed in RO chamber apart from the Candidate.

Role of Police on Poll Day

1.      Regulation of vehicles.

2.      No canvassing during the 48 hours before the end of poll.

3.      Ensuring law and order.

4.      Checking transportation of voters on poll day.

5.      Keeping a tab on Candidates’ Booths for compliance with ECI norms.

6.      Police to allow only authorised persons inside the booths including voter, PP, PA, Candidates, his/her election agents, baby-in-arm, companion with a blind/infirm voter, Observers, Executive Magistrates and officials on election duty.

7.      No policeman to enter the booths. To be stationed at the entrance by C.P.F to have a look at the proceedings inside and help the PP if asked for. Non-CPF not to be posted at the booth entrance.

8.      CPF to oscillate between different booths in multi-booth premises.

9.      Compliance with the restrictions on persons with security approaching polling stations. Only persons with ‘Z’ category to take security in plain clothes and concealed arms along if he/she falls in the list of those allowed to enter the booths.

10.  Keep an eye on vulnerable pockets to check whether anyone being restricted from exercising one’s franchise.(If reqd, Flag March by C.P.F in the Hamlets).

11.  Police Sectors to move with civil sectors.

12.  Police to coordinate with the Zonal Executive Magistrates on poll day.

13.  Authorised media persons not to be allowed to take photographs of the proceedings inside the booths (of the voting compartment to be precise).

14.  Escorting polled EVMs.

15.  SIM cards to be provided to Company Commanders.

16.  No vehicle to be allowed within 100 metres of the PS premises.

Role of Police on Counting Day

1. Three-tier cordoning of the Counting Venues.
2. Proper barricading.
3. Special vigil at/around Candidates/political party booths.
4. Proper frisking of counting personnel before allowing them in.
5. None to carry eatables/mobile phones/cigarettes/lighters etc inside the counting halls. Token system to be introduced for taking deposits of such items.
6. Identity of counting personnel and election duty officers/personnel to be thoroughly verified before allowing in. A senior Executive Magistrate to be posted at the entrance for helping the police with identification.
7. Policeman not to enter the counting hall.
8. Security arrangements after the results are announced throughout the districts for prevention of any rioting etc during victory processions/rallies.
9. To ensure order in the queue and in the premises.
10. People allowed inside the Counting Hall include Counting Supervisors/Assistant Supervisors, persons authorised by ECI including Observers, non-police public servants on counting duty, candidates, election agents and counting agents.
11. Ministers not allowed inside the Counting Halls unless himself/herself a candidate.
12. Counting Agents to be allowed entry only on production of second copy of the appointment letter after due completion and signing of the declaration contained therein under RO authority.
13. No loitering inside the Counting Premises.

Hope the above information/instructions shall be useful to all concerned. Do get back to me for any clarification or suggestions.

With best wishes,

 Dr. Saumitra Mohan, IAS.