Rahul leaves Rae Bareli; shoot-at-sight orders issued

Rae Bareli, UP, May 6 (UNI) Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi, who had been spearheading electioneering for his mother and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi since April 25, and Robert Vadra -- husband of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra -- have left the constituency in compliance with the Election Commission (EC) directions.

However, Priyanka stayed on as she is Ms Gandhi's election agent.

Meanwhile, shoot-at-sight orders have been issued to deal with trouble makers in the May 8 Rae Bareli bypoll.

Addressing a joint news conference here this evening, DM Jitendra Kumar and SP B D Paulson said shoot-at-sight orders had been issued to deal with those who try to disrupt polling process by interfering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) or indulge in violent behaviour with polling personnel during voting.

The EC had asked all politicians, who had state security cover, but were neither candidates nor election agents nor voters of Rae Bareli, to leave the constituency soon after electioneering ended today at 1700 hrs.

Rahul had informed the district election officer that he was leaving the constituency and will stay in Amethi, Mr Kumar said.

Meanwhile, tight security arrangements have been made for a free, fair and peaceful byelection to Rae Bareli Lok sabha constituency.

Mr Paulson said 22 companies of PAC and paramilitary forces in addition to 5,861 civil police personnel have been deployed for poll duty.

There are, in all 843 polling centres, of which 273 are identified as sensitive and 255 super-sensitive.

Paramilitary forces would be posted at all sensitive and super-sensitive polling centres. Video and digital cameras would be installed at the remaining centres.

A total of 16,000 people had been 'bound down' and 60 criminals booked under Goonda Act, whereas 90 per cent of licensed weapons had been deposited.

During thorough checking by the police, 12 illicit arms manufacturing units and 26 illicit distilleries were unearthed.

Besides, 10 factory made weapons were recovered, while 200 trouble makers had been identified and being kept under watch.

As many as 88 non-bailable warrants had been served and the culprits sent to jail, including four sharpshooters carrying rewards on their heads.

With a view to preventing entry of unauthorised vehicles, 19 barriers had been put up and Rae Bareli district borders sealed, Mr Paulson informed.

UNI XC-VS YA KN1937