Intelligence reports warned of communal violenc

Security forces have been put on high alert as intelligence reports have warned of post-poll communal violence, particularly in western Uttar Pradesh, after the announcement of lok Sabha poll results on Friday. 

“An alert has been sounded across the state, particularly in western UP, in view of the surcharged atmosphere after the polarisation during polls. Boisterous celebration by any one group can lead to reaction by the opposite group after the results are announced on Friday,” said a senior police officer.He said the atmosphere was already surcharged with the exit polls showing a wave in favour of one political party. “What has raised our concerns is that the counting will take place on Friday, the day members of a particular community gather at religious place to offer prayers,” the officer said. He bursting crackers by other group in front of religious places could create tension. 

The officer said that while the Election Commission had taken several measures to avert such clashes, the state administration had also chalked out elaborate security arrangements to check outbreak of post-poll communal violence in the state after the election results are announced.The state Government has asked all divisional commissioners, IGs, DIGs, district magistrates and district police chiefs to strictly enforce the ban imposed on victory processions in accordance with the directive of the Election Commission after counting on May 16.

After announcement of the results, special vigilance would be maintained in urban and rural areas of all districts for 15 or more days to thwart any untoward incident.In his video conferencing with divisional and district officers of the administration and police on Wednesday afternoon, Chief Secretary Jawed Usmani asked them to ensure that unnecessary crowd does not gather at the places of counting, and to deploy women police officers and women constables in adequate numbers at the counting centres.

He said no vehicle should be allowed within a radius of 100 metres from the venue of counting.The officers have also been directed to make proper arrangements of fire-tenders, ambulance and drinking water besides necessary barricading and deployment of adequate police force at the counting centres. Usmani also ordered proper security arrangements for the victorious candidates, especially the winning VVIPs candidates besides all necessary preparations for counting in accordance with the directives of the Election Commission.

Media centre are to be set up at district headquarters and office incharge posted there to brief the media about the counting.During the video conferencing, Principal Secretary (Home) Anil Kumar Gupta directed all district magistrates to review three-tier security arrangements with police officers before commencement of counting.He also asked the district magistrates to ensure uninterrupted power supply at the venue during counting of votes, particularly in the night, if required. He said the central para-military forces and PAC deployed at the divisional and district levels would remain there up to May 18 to avert any untoward incident. 

Gupta directed the district police chiefs to keep a close watch in their respective districts even after the counting.DGP Anand Banerji asked the senior officers to discharge their duties and responsibilities promptly and sincerely and make maximum use of wireless sets for providing information of necessary directives for the people. Home Secretary Amrit Abhijat, ADGP (law and Order) Mukul Goyal and other senior police officers were present during the video conferencing.  

Over 23 companies of central para-military forces are deployed in the state to guard the electronic voting machines (EVMs) stored in the strong rooms at 76 counting centres in the state.