Ahead of crucial local body elections, the rural police in Nagpur have implemented an unprecedented and massive security operation. This comprehensive security blanket covers a total of 11 Nagar Parishads and five Nagar Panchayats within the district's jurisdiction.
Unprecedented Scale of Police Deployment
The police force has mobilized close to 2,000 personnel to ensure the electoral process remains free, fair, and peaceful. The deployment is a multi-layered force comprising various ranks and specialized units. The breakdown includes 18 police inspectors, 96 assistant or sub-inspectors, and 1,174 police constables forming the core of the ground presence.
To bolster this force, 700 Home Guards have been pressed into service. Furthermore, the police have called in two full companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), known for their crowd control capabilities. For rapid response to any untoward incidents, the arrangement includes two dedicated riot control teams and two Quick Response Teams (QRT). Additionally, six extra striking teams are on standby as a reserve force.
Strategic Positioning and Preventive Crackdown
These extra forces have been strategically positioned at locations deemed critical for election integrity. Sensitive polling booths, strong rooms where electronic voting machines are stored, and key sectors for intensive patrolling have received enhanced security cover.
This final deployment is the culmination of a month-long preventive drive. In a significant crackdown on potential troublemakers, the police externed 77 history-sheeters from the district. Authorities also invoked the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act to detain six individuals.
In a major action against organized crime, the police booked 19 accused members from three different criminal gangs under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA). Apart from these targeted actions, a wider legal net saw 641 individuals prosecuted under relevant sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Bombay Police Act.
Seizures and Enforcement Actions
The police have also been vigilant against the use of money to influence voters. As part of this drive, authorities seized a total of Rs 6.20 lakh from individuals found violating bond conditions. In separate actions, nine persons were sent to jail for electoral offences and other crimes, sending a strong message about zero tolerance for disruption.
The scale and detail of this security plan underscore the administration's commitment to conducting smooth and incident-free elections in the rural civic bodies of Nagpur district. The combination of visible force deployment, pre-emptive action against criminals, and strict financial monitoring aims to create a secure environment for voters to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
