Bhubaneswar, Oct 22: Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania conducted a comprehensive review of the security arrangements for the upcoming Nuapada Assembly bypoll. The bypoll is scheduled for November 11.

During the high-level meeting with senior police officials, DGP Khurania underscored the importance of ensuring a peaceful, transparent, and impartial electoral process. He directed the enforcement agencies to strictly adhere to the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) guidelines, particularly with regard to the Model Code of Conduct and the security of VIP and VVIP movements during the poll period.

To bolster security, the Odisha Police has devised a robust deployment plan. This includes 14 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), five platoons of Odisha Special Armed Police (OSAP), and Additional Police Reserve (APR) units. The deployment will be supported by 35 mobile patrolling units, 18 flying squads, and 18 static surveillance teams across the constituency.

The DGP also instructed officials to intensify preventive actions such as the apprehension of suspicious individuals under Sections 107 and 110 of the CrPC, crackdown on illegal cash flow, and seizure of illicit arms and liquor.

Execution of pending Non-Bailable Warrants (NBWs) was also emphasized as a priority.

Additional DGP (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar and Additional DGP (Anti-Naxal Operations) Sanjeeb Panda were present at the meeting. Panda noted that anti-Maoist operations would be intensified in vulnerable pockets of the constituency to prevent any disruption during the election period.

Also read: Nuapada Bypoll: BJP Demands Congress Nominee’s Disqualification

With 19 candidates in the fray and the final list to be confirmed after the October 24 nomination withdrawal deadline, the Nuapada bypoll is expected to be a closely watched contest.

The administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that voters can exercise their franchise without fear or coercion.