Poll surveillance teams intensify checks in rural areas too

Besides aggressively covering urban areas, the static surveillance team and special flying squads constituted as part of poll surveillance have improved their presence in village areas also to prevent possible chances of illegal money transfers, distribution of gifts and other valuables. Instead of camping at a particular spot, the squads are changing the checking points frequently to cover the maximum area.

A member of the static surveillance team said the police were providing good field support to intensify checking. Other than State and national highways, the squad would also cover rural pocket roads for surprise checks, he said. Following the Election Commission’s stringent guidelines, no valuables or cash found in the absence of valid documents during such inspections would be given back without the screening of a district-level special committee. At the same time, those carrying relevant documents would be able to clear the proceedings at the spot.