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| Sunday, 15 February 2004 |
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Politics |  |
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Election count down begins IGP strict on police impartiality by ANTON NONIS The police have been placed on high alert to closely monitor the security situation as the count down for what's being termed an `intensely competitive election' begins, with nominations scheduled for Tuesday. Around 51 parties will be contesting the election, which political analysts and election monitors will be keenly contested. Fifty thousand policemen have already been deployed to monitor polls related violence, and all police stations have been instructed to immediately arrest any troublemaker. Inspector General of Police, Indra de Silva told the Sunday Observer that instructions had been given to his men to be firm and arrest any trouble maker irrespective of his rank or file or political affiliation. He said discussions were being held with Deputy Inspector General, Gamini Navaratne, Senior Superintendents of the Divisions and the Elections Commissioner with regard to security measures that should be taken during, at the time and after the election. "There is a lot to learn from what happened in the past couple of elections, especially the last one, and steps that should be taken to prevent a recurrence of such happenings," de Silva said. Mr. Navaratne said that at least 50,000 policemen would be deployed for the election., but pointed out that the number could be more and would depend of the requirements of the Elections Commissioner. The IGP has warned that any officer in charge of police station neglecting duties on security would be transferred immediately with the appointment of a more suitable person in his place. All countrywide police stations have been instructed to liaise with the Elections Secretariat set up at the Police Headquarters. All instructions from the Inspector General to the police stations will be relayed from the Communications Room set up at Mirihana. A three-phased police security structure has been planned to further ensure a violence free election. The first phase will be to provide security for the nominations, from February 17 to 24, the second election day security and the third, post election security. Police sources said security during each phase of the election would be different, but ensured that a state of high alert would be maintained at all times to forestall any untoward incidents. IGP de Silva said the pre election period and the election day are the most vulnerable phases in the election process and assured that tough security measures will be enforced. Asked about areas particularly vulnerable to violence, the Inspector General said that the Western Province ranks highest in the list, with a criminal record of about 45 per cent of violent activities. However, an election is different which may have ways of perpetrating violence in a different way. The geographical area, age limits of the population too have to be taken into account in these circumstances, the Inspector General said. Though the army will not get directly involved in the election, they have agreed to assist the police in certain areas in the North and the East, the IGP further said. Extension for IGP ? Inspector General of Police, Indra de Silva whose term comes to an end shortly, is likely to get an extension of services in his position as IGP due to the prevailing conditions. A decision in this regard is expected from the Police Commission, the `Sunday Observer' learns. |
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