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| Sunday, 7 March 2004 |
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Police geared to tackle polls violence by JAYAMPATHY JAYASINGHE Two Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIG) have been assigned this year to monitor election violence from the day nominations were presented till the conclusion of the Parliamentary Elections, at the Police Election Secretariat at Police Headquarters. Those assigned to the job are DIG (Crimes) Jayantha Wickremaratne and DIG Gamini Navaratne, who functioned as DIG Elections during the last Parliamentary Elections. DIG Wickremaratne has been brought in to the Police Election Secretariat especially to monitor incidents of crime and prepare reports relating to election violations during the election. DIG Navaratne, a computer specialist, will mainly be responsible for setting up a computer network linking all police stations to Police Headquarters and mobilising police manpower. DIG Wickremaratne said they have devised a plan this time to differentiate between incidents of crime from election-related offenses. The rationale behind this move is to expedite and settle cases in respect of each category without unnecessary delays. "This will help us to expedite investigations in respect of election related fraud and other criminal cases," he said. Incidents of lower magnitude such as causing simple hurt, abuse and threats and intimidation are usually dealt by the area police stations. Under the present law, such cases are handled by the Mediation Boards. Even serious crimes like murder, attempted murder, arson, causing grievous hurt with weapons and robberies involving over Rs 100,000 are investigated by the police and action filed before the Magistrates Court. Offenses related to elections like impersonation and stuffing of ballot boxes are investigated by the police and reports sent to the Attorney General for indictments. According to the Police Election Secretariat, several crimes have been reported from the following areas from the day nominations were handed over up to March 2: Ratnapura 22, Moneragala 12, Matale 11, Gampaha 10, Chilaw 11, Ampara 11 and Anuradhapura 10. The total number of incidents reported up to March 3 is 137. Several incidents have also been reported from Nuwara-Eliya and Tangalle. "We are monitoring the situation closely and reinforcements will be sent to these areas to quell violence," DIG Wickremaratne said. According to figures released by police Headquarters, there are about 30,000 Army deserters roaming the country. Many of them trained in handling sophisticated firearms are involved in serious crimes like murder and robberies. It is believed that around 10,000 firearms are in circulation. Although the Government declared an amnesty from February 1 to February 29 for those possessing firearms without permits, few have produced such weapons at police stations for licensing. The move was seen as a step to reduce violence. Meanwhile, Police have set up 36 communication centres islandwide linked to the Police Election Secretariat to monitor election related incidents. Of the total police strength of 70,000, at least 50,000 will be mobilised during the elections. The 11,000 polling booths scattered around the country will be manned by two policemen in addition to armed mobile patrols. The mobile patrols will consist of one Sub Inspector, one Sergeant and two Constables. During the last Parliamentary Election, the following cases were reported from different parts of the country: 24 murders, 54 attempted murders, 26 thefts with firearms, 537 cases of simple hurt, 579 abuses and threats, 423 cases of mischief, 100 election offenses, 15 impersonations, 19 robberies of polls cards, two cases of stuffing ballot boxes, nine cases of chasing away polls agents, six cases of chasing away voters, 39 cases of causing grievous hurt, 21 abductions, 48 cases of arson, 56 robberies and 13 house breakings and thefts. |
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