Police keep watchful eye on rowdies ahead of assembly elections in Bengaluru

BENGALURU:With the state legislative assembly elections approaching fast, city police are trying to control the activities of rowdies and anti-social elements. With more than a month left for the elections, police have already made over 2,500 rowdies and trouble-makers give an undertaking that they will not involve in any criminal activity this election season.

“As rowdy elements are the first choice of politicians and their followers to carry out illegal activities in order to lure voters or to create law and order problems, it is a must to check and keep rowdy elements under control,” a senior officer said. “Inspectors of all stations have been asked to keep a watch on all history-sheeters, habitual offenders and budding criminals till the elections are completely over,” the official added.

Cops have opened fire in the past few week and this is touted as passing a strong message to goons that they will not be spared if they do not fall in line. Officials, however, maintain that the recent incidents of rowdies being shot at has nothing to do with elections. “It is a part of our duty. When a rowdy element attack us, we are bound to give it back to them in self-defence and nab them,” another officer said.

City Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar said that 45 companies of central and para-military forces will be deployed in the city during elections. “Already 15 companies have arrived. Nine major check-posts are set up in the city to check vehicles entering and leaving the city, while three check-posts are established in each assembly constituency,” he said, adding that eight cases have been booked so far for the violation of model code of conduct violation.