Cops urge villagers to follow Covid protocols ahead of panchayat polls
PRAYAGRAJ : Conducting peaceful panchayat polls amidst rising coronavirus cases is posing a huge challenge for policemen.
While panchayat polls have increased activities in rural areas, cops are requesting them not to assemble in large numbers and follow Covid-19 protocols. Senior officials too are visiting villages and interacting with locals in the district.
With nomination procedure for panchayat polls in full swing, aspirants and their supporters are actively campaigning in their areas.
Despite being warned by officials, meetings are being held to convince voters in their favours.
Candidates are also roaming around with their supporters and are conducting door-todoor campaigning to garner support.
Senior officials, including SSP Sarvshrestha Tripathi, SP transGanga Dhawal Jaiswal and SP trans-Yamuna Saurabh Dixit, are carrying out regular visits in rural areas.
Not only in trans-Yamuna and trans-Ganga areas, police officials are also reaching out to residents of villages close to city limits. On Tuesday, SP City Dinesh Kumar Singh and circle officer Shahganj Satyendra Tiwari held a meeting with residents of Saidpur village under Kareli police station.
The SP City said policemen were doing dual task. They were asking villagers to take oath for peaceful conclusion of panchayat elections and at the same time follow all Covid-19 protocols.
“Villagers and polls aspirants are being asked to stay alert and not assemble in large numbers. A signature campaign to maintain peace and cooperate with police is being carried out in rural areas,” the SP City added.
The polls will be held in four phases - April 15, 19, 26 and 29 and the counting of votes will be held on May 2.