Addnl companies of central force sought for Pondy elections

Pondicherry, Mar 6 (UNI) Additional Senior Superintendent of Police B Srikanth today said that 15 companies of additional central force have been sought to conduct the two phases of Assembly elections on May three and eight in the Union Territory of Pondicherry.

Talking to newspersons here, he said the Election Commission had directed the police to execute non-bailable arrest warrents pending here for more than six months and the department was processing it.

In Pondicherry district, about 125 non-bailable arrest warrants were pending, he informed.

On the cases registered against DMK convener and former Chief Minister R V Janakiraman, he said the case was under investigation and it would be completed soon.

Strict vigil was being maintained against people with previous criminal records, he added.

The official said political parties have been requested not to conduct public meetings by blocking roads causing inconvenient to the public.

In order to avoid this, the police department had identified places where 2,000 to 5000 people could be accomodated, he said adding negotiations were on with the parties in this regard.

UNI PAB ROY VD RN1756