Odisha Police ramp up security for final election phase

Bhubaneswar, May 31: Ahead of the last phase of elections scheduled for June 1, Odisha's Director General of Police, Arun Kumar Sarangi, assured readiness and vigilant monitoring across six Lok Sabha and 42 Assembly segments spanning nine districts. Emphasizing the sensitivity of these constituencies from a law and order perspective, Sarangi disclosed significant deployment measures.

A total of 36,000 police personnel, comprising 126 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), 86 platoons of Odisha Armed Police, and 20,500 civil police personnel, have been strategically stationed in Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur districts. This force includes 44 Additional SSPs, 99 DSPs, 210 inspectors, 2,583 SI/ASI, 9,476 havildars and constables, along with 8,083 home guards & GRs.

In a bid to enhance operational efficiency, Sarangi highlighted the appointment of four young IPS Officers at SDPO rank to oversee Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts.

Moreover, elaborate arrangements have been made at the assembly constituency level, with 12 DSPs, 42 Assembly Supervising Officers in the rank of Additional SPs, and 84 DSPs (two for each assembly segment) overseeing operations. Additionally, 199 Sector Officers in the rank of inspector, each backed by a striking force, have been deployed across the constituencies, divided into approximately five sectors.

To safeguard critical and vulnerable booths, CAPF personnel will be stationed at 2,280 locations, supported by 843 mobile units, with an additional 130 units supervised by CAPF Company Commanders/Deputy Commandants, ensuring comprehensive coverage and response capabilities.