29 taken in preventive custody in view of polls in Bandipora

SRINAGAR: At-least 29 persons have been taken into "preventive" custody in view of the polls in Bandipora district during the first phase of the five-phased assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir later this month, a top police officer said today.

"In order to ensure a peaceful atmosphere, 29 persons have been taken into preventive detention in Bandipora... The message is loud and clear for every person that nobody shall be allowed to create any kind of disturbance (during the polls)," Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, A G Mir said.

Three constituencies of Bandipora district - Gurez, Bandipora and Sonawari - are going to polls on November 25.

Mir, who visited Bandipora to review security arrangements for the upcoming polls, said all arrangements have been made to ensure incident-free polls.

"After analyzing the last parliamentary elections and keeping the past experience in view, all arrangements have been made for incident-free assembly elections," the IGP said.

He said enough manpower and resources have been kept at the disposal of the district authorities for catering the needs of the security for electioneering and elections.

Soon after his arrival in the north Kashmir district, the officer chaired a high level meeting with senior police officers and later presided a joint review meeting which was attended by Brigade Commanders of five and three Sector, Deputy Inspector Generals of BSF and CRPF and Army and CRPF Commandants of Bandipora.

"Detailed discussions were held and all concerned apprised the IGP about measures being taken to ensure peaceful polls in the district," a police spokesman said.