Bhubaneswar: Following reports of violence and student unrest in several colleges ahead of the students’ union elections, Odisha DGP Vinaytosh Mishra has asked senior police officers to strengthen policing to curb such incidents.
Holding a meeting with SPs, DIGs and IGs through video conferencing on Saturday evening, Mishra reviewed security arrangements and the law and order situation in view of the elections scheduled for October 15.The DGP emphasised the need to prevent violence on college and university campuses, maintain law and order, ensure smooth conduct of the polls and prevent post-election violence.
He said police should prioritise preventive measures to avert violence in colleges rather than merely reacting after an incident occurs. Mishra stressed that police officers should maintain regular contact with college authorities and keep a close watch on situations or locations prone to tension, and intervene immediately whenever necessary.
He also directed deployment of police personnel on campuses where violence or law and order situation is apprehended during the elections, and asked senior officers to take election-related tensions or disputes seriously and take prompt action as per law.
The elections were cancelled in a college in Jajpur district after bombs were hurled inside the campus last Thursday. Student unrest was also reported in colleges in Nayagarh, Bhadrak, Balasore and Angul districts.
