BENGALURU: The run-up to the announcement of the May 12
polls was marked by violence and communal flare-ups across the state. But once elections were announced in the last week of March, the situation took a turn for the better.
After polls were announced, DG-IGP
Neelamani M Raju and additional director general of police (ADGP state)
Kamal Pant met senior officers, including superintendents of police, from various districts. “We did a detailed study in different districts and prepared a report. We involved the best police personnel from those districts and formed WhatsApp groups to discuss what should be done to prevent flare-ups,” a senior police officer said.
The
intelligence bureau feared there would be
communal violence in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mysuru and Shivamogga. Police had only 43,653 personnel against the sanctioned 82,157.
Neelamani Raju approached other states for help and over 7,500 police personnel arrived in the state and were deployed in different places. CID, ACB, Lokayukta and other agencies too were asked to chip in.
“We deployed heavy police force in places where the chances of communal violence were high. More than 30,000 non-bailable warrants were issued in the past month and nearly 40,000 miscreants were arrested. This sent a strong signal,” the police officer said.
Special security assembled at Home Science college ground for the election duty before dispatch of Election ma... Read More