Pune Police and paramilitary gear up for uneventful voting

PUNE: The police have made elaborate security arrangements to ensure that no law and order situation occurs in the Kasba Peth assembly byelections on February 26.
Addressing newspersons, Pune police commissioner Retesh Kumarr said on Friday that 1,125 policemen, including from the city police, central paramilitary forces and home guards, will be deployed on bandobast duty from Saturday.
Kumarr said the bandobast at 270 booths, including nine sensitive booths in 76 buildings under the limits of Khadak, Faraskhana, Vishrambaug, Samarth and Dattawadi police stations, has been planned in coordination with the district election commission.
The police chief said that there are 16 candidates in the fray for the Kasba Peth assembly byelection.
The police have also made tight security arrangements at the FCI godown in Koregaon Park where the counting of votes will be held on March 3, he added.
Deputy commissioner of police (special branch) A Raja said, “We have taken prevent action against 2,789 people under the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code, Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities and the Maharashtra Police Act.
In the run-up to the election day, the police have so far seized unaccounted cash worth over Rs33.85 lakh, the DCP said. Route marches have been conducted at 61 locations, said Raja.
So far, two illegal firearms have been seized and 117 licensed firearms collected from licence holders as a precautionary measure, he said. Altogether 20 people have been booked under the Liquor Prohibition Act.