Bhubaneswar: Odisha Director General of Police Vinaytosh Mishra, a 1993-batch IPS officer of the Odisha cadre, has directed district police and senior officers to strengthen law-and-order preparedness ahead of the October 15 student union elections and the upcoming festive season.
Mishra issued the directions during a high-level review meeting with Range IGs/DIGs and district Superintendents of Police through video conference from the State Police Headquarters. The meeting covered student elections, festival-season security, women’s safety, cybercrime, crime control and the Nasha Mukt Odisha Abhiyan.
Police Asked to Coordinate With Colleges for Student Polls
For the October 15 elections, the DGP directed police station in-charges and Sub-Divisional Police Officers to maintain regular communication with student leaders and coordinate with college and university authorities.
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Police have also been asked to prevent outsiders and anti-social elements from entering campuses and to monitor hostels, messes, student gatherings and other election-related activities.
Mishra advised against unnecessary police deployment in areas where there is no indication of possible violence, while calling for adequate preventive measures at sensitive locations. District Collectors, SPs, Sub-Collectors and college principals have also been asked to coordinate on election-related security.
Women’s Safety and Cybercrime Among Key Priorities
Women’s safety was another major focus of the review. Mishra directed officers to ensure prompt, impartial and effective investigation of sensitive cases and to strengthen preventive policing and monitoring.
The DGP also directed authorities to strengthen the functioning of cyber police stations and improve investigation and subsequent legal action in cybercrime cases.
Crackdown on Organised Crime and Drug Networks
Mishra called for intensified action against habitual and organised criminals, including regular raids and inspections and strict enforcement of provisions under the NDPS Act.
Under the Nasha Mukt Odisha Abhiyan, police were directed to strengthen action against drug-trafficking networks and criminal groups involved in the illegal drug trade. Officers were also asked to take steps to destroy illegal cannabis cultivation in accordance with the law.
New Criminal Laws and Police Infrastructure Reviewed
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the new criminal laws and measures to strengthen police infrastructure across the state.
Senior police officers, Range IGs/DIGs and district SPs participated in the review through video conferencing.
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