Ahead of Assembly polls, police tighten vigil in Ernakulam

With the announcement of the Assembly elections expected anytime soon, the police in the district have initiated steps to ensure a smooth and peaceful conduct of the polls.

Both the Kochi city and Ernakulam rural police have started preparing the ground for the elections with mandatory preventive measures to rein in suspected anti-social people to avoid potential law and order risks during the polls.

The Kochi city police have started tightening the noose on habitual offenders by strict invocation of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA). The police have already invoked KAAPA on 20 suspects as part of pre-poll preventive measures. The cases include those recommended for preventive detention and externment.

The police have also produced 63 habitual offenders before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate Court and made them execute bonds to maintain good behaviour as a precautionary measure to prevent involvement in criminal activities. Those violating the bond conditions will face strict action, including arrest, according to the city police.

Over 600 persons, against whom non-bailable warrants have been issued by courts, have been produced before courts, and legal proceedings have been initiated as part of the poll preparedness. A special team has been constituted to act against such offenders.

The rural police, according to sources, have been preparing the list of the usual offenders to be monitored. “The list includes people who were slapped with KAAPA as well as those who are out on bail and parole,” an officer said. The rural police have also visited the institutions where polling stations and counting centres will be set up and assessed the security arrangements and infrastructure facilities.

The police have also intensified the measures to prevent the sale and use of narcotic substances in view of the elections. The city police have, of late, detained three people, identified as habitual drug traffickers, under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Around 80 cases have been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act as part of the pre-election searches.

The city police have also launched round-the-clock vehicle inspections at all border points to prevent the illegal sale and production of liquor and to curb the smuggling of arms, cash and narcotic substances.

Licensed firearm holders have been directed to surrender their weapons at police stations or authorised armoury shops. More than 250 weapons within Kochi City limits have already been surrendered.