Bhubaneswar: The police have arrested total 82 persons in connection with incidents of violence and poll code violations during the first three phases of three-tier panchayat polls.
Out of these, 43 persons in Jajpur, 24 in Puri, 9 in Dhenkanal and 6 persons in Jagatsinghpur district have been arrested, the State police headquarters informed.
For the fourth phase of elections scheduled on February 22 (Tuesday), total 257 platoons force have been mobilised which would be supplemented by 1,473 mobile patrolling units.
“Voting will be done in a total 17,089 booths during this phase. The election will be conducted with strict enforcement of the State Election Commission guidelines and COVID protocols,” the Police headquarters stated through a press note.
The Police headquarters press note further stated, “Polling has been peaceful throughout the State in the first three phases, barring polling disruptions in a very few number of booths.”
However, the incidents which emerged from many booths across the State during all the three phases of Panchayat polls reflected an opposite and ugly picture of chaos and hooliganism.
With at least 17 more platoons added for beefing security during the fourth phase of polls, it remains to be seen, if this step will be enough to check the unruly elements on Tuesday.
