Bhubaneswar: Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Vinaytosh Mishra on Saturday directed police officers to take proactive measures to prevent violence and maintain law and order during the student union elections scheduled for October 15.
Chairing a high-level video conference with district Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Range IGs/DIGs at the DGP’s Camp Office here, Mishra reviewed security arrangements for the polls and stressed the need to prevent both pre-election and post-election violence on college campuses.
The DGP directed police officers to coordinate regularly with college authorities, identify potential flashpoints and intervene promptly to prevent tensions from escalating into violence. He emphasised that police action should focus on preventing incidents rather than responding only after violence occurs.
He also instructed officers to assess sensitive situations and deploy adequate police personnel as required to ensure peaceful polling. Any election-related tension or dispute, he said, must be treated seriously, with prompt legal action initiated in accordance with the law.
The meeting was attended by Director (Intelligence) R.P. Koche, Additional Director General of Police (SAP) Rajesh Kumar, Additional Police Commissioner (Bhubaneswar-Cuttack) Narsingh Bhol, along with Range IGs/DIGs and district SPs from across the state.
