Lucknow: People of Firozabad exercised their right to franchise for the UP Assembly elections on February 20, 2022. In the run up to the poll, Firozabad Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashish Tiwari, IPS, had launched a sustained campaign against illegal weapons and illicit liquor manufacturers. He roped in common people for its better execution. In an interview with Bureaucrats India, Tiwari talks about steps taken to make the elections smooth. Read on…

How had Firozabad Police geared up for the assembly elections?

The process of General Assembly Election-2022 is still underway. Voting was held in Firozabad district on February 20. We had made effective preparations at every level to ensure a peaceful and fair polling in a free and unbiased atmosphere. We did continuous 24 hours checking of vehicles and persons at district borders. We kept communicating with the general public. Following provisions of the Model Code of Conduct, all political parties and candidates were treated equally. Security was provided to all 53 candidates competing in the election in the district. The violation of Model Code of Conduct was dealt with as per the rule. Necessary preventive measures were also taken against the people who tried to create nuisance.

Were any special preparations done to keep illegal activities under check?

In Uttar Pradesh, the general public participates in the electoral process with high intensity. Since their involvement is much higher due to which there is always a high probability of disputes, controversies and illegal activities. To prevent all this, we had identified offending elements village wise and effective preventive actions were ensured. 32591 persons had been bound down under relevant sections of CrPC in the entire district. Action was taken under the Gangster Act against persons from criminal background and history-sheeters. A red-card notice was issued to the intimidators and trouble makers under CrPC Section 149 and their activities were closely monitored by us.

You launched a kind of war against illegal weapons in Firozabad.

In order to ensure peaceful elections, we monitored activities of those with criminal background so that they can’t disturb the electoral process. Manufacturing and possession of illegal arms is a major problem in this region. To counter this, under my supervision a police station-wise team was formed to gather intelligence inputs. We busted 15 illegal arms factories and approximately 400 illegal arms in the district were seized.

How was the response of the people towards this initiative? Did you face any setbacks?

All the initiatives taken by the district police to organize the election in a fear-free and neutral environment received full support of the general public. Also, many preventive and punitive actions were taken on the information received from the public. In order to establish constant communication with the public, we were using C-PLAN App and ‘Haal Chaal Dasta.’

Alcohol and elections have an old friendship. What was done to stop illegal smuggling of alcohol and drugs?

Previously, there were complaints of distribution and consumption of illicit liquor during elections. In view of this, effective action was taken against all those involved in these activities. Twenty three illicit liquor factories and approximately 18000 litres of illicit liquor were seized by the District Police and took action against 480 people. We gathered intelligence at the beat level and closely monitored suspicious activities.

Before the 2017 assembly elections, an illegal firearms factory was uncovered in Firozabad as well, and this time too. What do you think is the reason behind the constant rise of these?

Since assuming the charge of the district, I have tried to act against illegal arms. In previous elections too, these types of actions had been carried out. This time we used information received from the public, intelligence gathered, and surveillance to act against persons involved in these activities. That is why we have seized a higher number of illegal arms and factories.

Was public participation sought for peaceful execution of Assembly Elections?

To conduct elections peacefully, public cooperation is always needed. We had established regular dialogue and interaction with the public through various means. According to my instructions, at every Police Station, Constables were made to contact the public through C-PLAN App on a daily basis. Also a team of women constables was formed named ‘Haal Chaal Dasta’ to interact with people. Necessary action was taken on the information, suggestions and complaints received from the public. From this whole exercise, a sense of confidence and positive tuning was developed between police and public.