Kottayam Collector Firmly Denies Media Reports of CAPF Guns Pointed at Election Officials
In a strong rebuttal, Kottayam District Collector and District Election Officer Chetan Kumar Meena has categorically rejected recent media reports alleging that Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel pointed guns at election officials near the strong room at Baselius College. This facility is where the electronic voting machines for the Vaikom assembly constituency are securely stored.
Collector Labels Reports as Completely Baseless
Meena clarified emphatically that these media claims are completely baseless and do not reflect the actual situation on the ground. He stated that no such incident occurred at any stage during the election process. "There was absolutely no instance of security personnel pointing guns, as alleged in the reports," the collector asserted, addressing the misinformation directly.
Transparent Resolution of Safety Concerns
The collector explained that certain procedural concerns had arisen regarding the custody of the strong room keys. In response, he personally visited the site along with general observers to address these matters. The safety concerns related to the security measures of the strong rooms were handled in a transparent manner in the presence of multiple stakeholders.
This included:
- The general observer
- The returning officer
- Representatives of political parties
- Agents of candidates
All actions were conducted strictly in accordance with the established norms and protocols of the Election Commission of India (ECI), ensuring full compliance and integrity.
Appeal for Responsible Reporting
Following the clarification, the district administration has issued a firm appeal to media outlets and the general public. They urged everyone to refrain from spreading unverified information that could potentially create unnecessary panic or confusion. The administration emphasized the importance of relying on official statements and verified facts, especially during critical periods like elections.
The collector's statement aims to put to rest any rumors and reinforce confidence in the electoral process, highlighting the district's commitment to maintaining order and transparency throughout the election proceedings.
