Additional check-posts in Tiruchi ahead of polls

As part of enhanced security measures for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Tiruchi Rural Police have established additional check-posts at select locations in the district.

The check-posts have come up at places such as Valvelputhur, Kilikoodu, T. Managapatti and Perumalmalai Adivaram, police sources said.

Police teams, briefed on their mandated tasks, have been deputed to the check-posts in shifts. Attached to the respective jurisdictional stations, the personnel have been tasked with carrying out vehicle checks to prevent movement of contraband and illegal liquor.

The number of check-posts, including the newly created ones, is now 13, with plans to increase them in the coming days depending on the ground-level situation, the sources added. They are now functioning in five sub-divisions of Jeeyapuram, Tiruverumbur, Lalgudi, Musiri and Manapparai.

Tiruchi Rural Police have under their jurisdiction four Assembly segments: Lalgudi, Manachanallur, Thuraiyur and Musiri. The last seat, however, comes under Perambalur Parliamentary constituency. Nevertheless, the task of providing security and bandobust at polling stations falling under all four segments lies with Tiruchi Rural Police.

Perambalur
In neighbouring Perambalur district, police officials have been holding meetings with owners of lodges and wedding halls, advising them to ensure the genuineness of those occupying them.

The wedding hall owners have also been advised to remain vigilant and ensure that their halls are not used for illegal distribution of money or articles as the model code of conduct is in place. The sensitisation meetings are being held at police station-level, said the sources.

Perambalur police also have plans to increase the number of check-posts. Heeding Election Commission instruction, over 500 arms licence holders in Tiruchi district and more than 70 in Perambalur district deposited their weapons with the police.

Perambalur police have so far shortlisted about 30 ex-servicemen and a few retired police personnel for poll duty after obtaining their willingness and ensuring their physical fitness. Efforts are on to mobilise more such personnel to augment the strength of the district police for providing security at polling booths on the eve and on the day of the election.