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| Sunday, 22 February 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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More teeth for police to deal with election violence by ANTON NONIS The Election Secretariat set up at the Police Headquarters had received 17 election-related complaints from different parts of the country upto yesterday. According to DIG Gamini Nawarathne, these included complaints of two attempted murders from Arachchikattuwa and Chilaw. Police investigations into all complaints, have already begun. All Officers-In-Charge of police stations have been instructed to inquire into the complaints without delay, whatever the political affiliations of the offending party. Unlike previous occasions, the police will, this time, field two Deputy Inspector Generals to monitor polls-related issues, Inspector General of Police, Indra de Silva told the Sunday Observer. While DIG Nawarathne handles the Police Election Secretariat, DIG Jayantha Wickremaratne will handle all election related violence and violations of the Election Act. "Two DIGs have been appointed this time to overcome the shortcomings that surfaced earlier and to hold the election in a fair and impartial manner," IGP de Silva said. Senior police officers have been sent to Kandy, Chilaw, Ratnapura, Matale and Tangalle, identified as areas prone to polls-related violence. To further strengthen security, DIG Wickremaratne, under the instructions of the IGP, has set up a stand-by team of 50 to 60 policemen at Police Headquarters. The team will be ready to be dispatched immediately to any area to combat crime. A station OIC can summon the stand-by team if faced with a difficult situation. The team comes under a Senior Superintendent and is instructed by three Assistant Superintendents. The police will also take stern action against the pasting of posters, banners, cut-outs or any form of decoration, DIG Nawarathne said. The Army too will come to the assistance of the police if the situation warrants. Lt. Gen. Lionel Balagalle said he was prepared to send his men to any part of the country to battle crime if a request is made by the police. |
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