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UP to tighten security prior to polls

A strict vigil is to be maintained on the India-Nepal border, particularly in view of the coming Lok Sabha elections, to prevent the smuggling of arms and the crossing over of criminal elements.

A directive to this effect, issued by the Uttar Pradesh government, has asked senior officials to ensure that the administrators of the border districts constantly keep a special watch over the situation in view of the porous nature of the border.

V K Mittal, principal secretary of the UP home department, said that the authorities have been directed to take every step to prevent cross-border crime.

Similarly, he said, UP's borders with neighbouring states of Bihar and Haryana had been found sensitive and adequate measures would be taken to prevent inter-state movement of the criminals and other anti-social elements to keep electioneering trouble-free.

In a lengthy circular to all the senior civil and police officers on field postings, the home department stressed that social harmony should be maintained ''in every situation'' and any attempt to create communal disturbances or caste animosity should be nipped in the bud immediately.

Directing the police to launch preventive measures immediately, the home department, however, warned the district officials that arrests should not be made just to increase the tally.

''Arrest criminals and anti-social elements only,'' the order directs, pointing out that ''it had came to the notice of the state government that due to lack of interest by the senior officers in the supervision of work, people belonging to poor and deprived sections of the society mostly got affected in the drive.''

On granting security facilities to different leaders, Mittal in his order said it would be the responsibility of the political party concerned to bear the expenses incurred in the preparation of helipads. The helipads would not be allowed to be constructed at places where security cannot be ensured.

Besides, the financial burden of erecting barricades at meetings/rallies should be fully borne by the concerned political party, the order said.

UNI

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