Addressing a press conference he said the first phase of polling passed peacefully without any major incidents thanks to tight policing. A similar kind of bandobust is arranged in phase II and III polling.
He said in the previous elections, the state had deployed 50 companies of para-military force (each company consists of 100 jawans) and this time it was 225 company-an increase of nearly four times. This has instilled confidence among voters. “We appeal voters to exercise their franchise without any fear. Our force is ready to meet any situation. Anybody who tries to create mischief will be dealt with an iron hand”, he noted.
Asked about arrival of thousands of people from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh from proxy voting in Bellary district, the DGP said they had a meeting with chief secretary of AP and senior officials of Goa and Maharashtra and decided to set up check posts in border areas to check infiltration of bogus voters. “Be it Bellary or Shimoga district, police have made elaborate security arrangements and we will act according to the situation”, he added.