US NAGAR POLICE EXTERN OVER 50 CRIMINALS OUT OF DISTRICT AHEAD OF ASSEMBLY POLLS

RUDRAPUR: For the first time US Nagar police are dealing strictly with criminals under the Goonda Act in a bid to conduct a free and fair assembly election. Police are externing criminals out of the district with warnings.

In past elections, police used to just paste order of DM at the houses of such criminals. But in this election, police not only paste the DM’s order but are picking and dropping the criminals out of the boundary of the district.

“Police are taking every action to conduct free and fair assembly election in Kumaon. More than 50 criminals in US Nagar have been externed so far,” said Nilesh Anand Bharne, DIG police of Kumaon range.

US Nagar police are picking and dropping those criminals under the Goonda Act who can create hurdles in free and fair elections. Such criminals are also given warning if they are seen in the district before six months, strict action will be taken against them, said police.

US Nagar is a very sensitive district from the crime and communal tension point of view. Its boundary is surrounded by UP’s five districts Pilibhit, Bareilly, Rampur, Moradabad and Bijnor.

As far as Goonda Act is concerned, DM is empowered to make special provisions checking goons from influencing the polls with a view to the maintenance order under the Goonda Act 1970. He can direct any criminals to be externed from the district for a certain period.

“Though our relative was involved in criminal activities and was ordered to be externed to another district, the question is where would he go during these six months. No one will give them a house on rent and what would they do for livelihood,” said one relative of a criminal who has been externed.

DM CAN DIRECT ANY CRIMINALS TO BE EXTERNED FROM THE DISTRICT FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD.