Malerkotla: Increased security at social and religious gatherings ahead of elections

The government is making every effort to provide security at and around the locations of religious and social events in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.

The endeavor has proven to be difficult for those in charge of carrying out security plans because religious and social events are drawing an unforeseenly large number of attendees because activists and office holders from different political party wings are eager to win over voters before the elections.

Along with potential candidates and their backers, MPs, lawmakers, heads of local government, and leaders of other political parties attend the events. The model code of conduct’s implementation, however, has exempted SHOs and beat officers from having to show consideration for the majority of VIP visits.

With a significant Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, and Christian population, the area has been the scene of religious events such as Iftar gatherings, jagrans, and communal prayers throughout the subsequent festival season. Though Eid is observed on Thursday, the arrival of Navratri is anticipated to attract large crowds of Jagrans. While there were gatherings for Easter as well, Baisakhi is anticipated to draw a greater crowd.

Simrat Kaur, the SSP for Malerkotla, said that appropriate and preventive steps had been taken in consideration of the upcoming LS elections and festival season. All events, even religious ones, that are planned with the administration’s approval, see the deployment of additional soldiers.

The SSP said, “We have increased security measures at all key locations with the goal of uplifting public morale and discouraging anti-social elements, including drug peddlers and miscreants.” She went on to say that top district level officials, including herself, were in charge of night dominance, combing operations, patrols, and special nakas.

In addition to the ten regular nakas at different locations, the SSP said that all 14 of the district’s access points were being monitored by combined teams of district police and Central Armed Police Force soldiers. Following the implementation of the model code of conduct, nine proclaimed offenders had also been taken into custody, she said.