COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore city police have registered 49 cases against political parties for violating the model code of conduct (MCC) during the assembly election. An election cell, which was formed at the Coimbatore City Police Commissionerate to maintain law and order and ensure a peaceful election, took several measures to ensure smooth campaigning and polling, according to a senior police officer.
The officer said the city police had identified 594 people with criminal backgrounds almost a month before the April 23 election. All the 594 rowdies and troublemakers were made to give an undertaking that they would not involve themselves in any criminal activity during the election period.
The team monitored political parties engaged in election work and registered cases against those who violated the model code of conduct. Cases were registered against BJP, AIADMK, DMK and TVK cadres and functionaries for violating the MCC. In addition, cases were registered for transporting cash, gold and other valuables without proper documents.
Two separate cases were registered against DMK functionaries for allegedly involving minor boys and girls in election campaigning in the Coimbatore South constituency. The Peelamedu police booked a Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam district-level functionary for allegedly creating public nuisance on the Avinashi Road and violating the MCC when TVK president C Joseph Vijay visited the city for election campaigning. Likewise, Ramanathapuram police in the city booked 62 people, including AIADMK and BJP functionaries, for assaulting DMK cadres over allegations of cash distribution to voters.
According to the officer, campaigning and polling were smooth in the city. No major issues were reported. However, minor incidents such as altercations and violations of the MCC occurred. We have registered 49 cases against them. Plans are on to deploy adequate police personnel on counting day at the Government College of Technology on May 4, the officer said.
