Police told to strengthen communications system

Central Police Office (CPO) Technical & Transport DIG Sharjeel Kharal has ordered his subordinates to strengthen and integrate the wireless and communications system before the February 8 general elections.

Officials said DIG Kharal has ordered that the use of all technical devices be reviewed and made effective. Moreover, a special meeting on the elections was held with Kharal in chair. It was attended by all DSPs, range incharges and OICs of the AIGMT, Telecom Police Sindh and Motor Transport.

The DIG ordered that the communication system be made effective and integrated in all respects during the elections, and regular awareness letters and orders be issued to all the OICs and wireless operators about their duties and responsibilities in this regard.

He said that under the assigned duties, the process of timely sharing of reports and timely sharing of further guidelines regarding security measures under the respective districts and police stations of the elections should also be made extraordinary.

He added that along with keeping the available vehicles in proper and active condition, the motor transport staff, officers and jawans should also be kept ready and alert.

Meanwhile, Sindh police heads held a high-level review meeting at the CPO to discuss the security arrangements made for the elections, and the current law and order situation.

Officials said the meeting was chaired by the IGP Sindh, and was attended by the Addl IGP Karachi, the DIGs Headquarters and T&T, and the AIGs Operations, MT, Establishment, T&T and Admin, while the zonal DIGs participated through videoconferencing.

The meeting was told that the enthusiasm of the people regarding the conduct of the elections is at its peak, while the Sindh police and their measures regarding law and order are the focus of their hopes.

The meeting was also told that miscreants might try to disturb law and order, but in order to defeat their ambitions, all ranges, districts and zones have to make their security arrangements more effective and foolproof, with the full cooperation and support of the people.

In addition to taking into account past incidents, implementation of the security plan and its priorities should be made more strict and successful keeping in mind the crime analysis, the officials were told.

It was emphasised in the meeting that due to extraordinary security measures, the objectives and ambitions of anti-peace elements should be made part of their priorities with advance and timely response.

Any suspicious activities should not only be taken notice of but citizens should also be encouraged to cooperate with the police through awareness and publicity measures in this regard, it was pointed out.

The meeting was told that all possible steps should be taken to keep security deployment alert at sensitive installations, important public and private buildings, etc. in the province.

The meeting was also told that Section 144 imposed by the provincial government against the display of weapons should be strictly implemented, and any concession or hesitation should be avoided in this regard.

The meeting was further told that any information received even about small and minor incidents should not be ignored, and all possible preventive measures should be ensured by timely following up on the information.

The officials were told that intelligence should be increased at the polling stations and in their surrounding areas, while police security should be made foolproof and extraordinary from the start to the end of the voting process.

The officials were also told to ensure people’s access to the polling stations so that the voting process can be made peaceful and safe, while measures should also be taken to continue the process uninterrupted.

The officials were ordered that the anti-riots and reserve platoons be kept on standby and alert on Election Day, while the Special Branch and other intelligence agencies follow the exchange of information through mutual contact to defeat the nefarious objectives of anti-national and anti-social elements.

The officials were also ordered monitoring every moment and noting the situation of the areas, as well as noting entries while making the channels more active and uninterrupted.

They were directed to ensure timely action over violations of the election code of conduct, implement the special instructions for patrolling, random snap checking, blockades, recce and surveillance.