Poll violence: Special training for cops

Kozhikode: The Kozhikode rural police are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to preventing untoward incidents during the assembly polls. Besides taking steps to prevent political violence, cops in the rural police district are also undergoing special training to handle critical situations effectively, such as those involving use of ammunition to disperse a mob.

All police officers including DSP, inspectors, SIs and provisional SIs are being trained in using teargas shells and rubber bullets and to handle Vajra, the anti-riot vehicle of the police, to tackle poll-related incidents of violence.

“Though all police personnel are trained in the use of ammunition, they lack practice and opportunity to refresh their knowledge,” said Pratheesh Kumar, district police chief, Kozhikode rural. Such training is mostly useful for those serving in communally and politically sensitive regions like Nadapuram and Kuttiady.

Nadapuram division, under Kozhikode rural police district, is the most politically sensitive area in the district. A total of 150 sensitive booths are present in Nadapuram legislative assembly constituency alone, of which 117 are present in Nadapuram police station limit.

Apart from this, cops also direct political party leaders to avoid campaign slogans and flex boards that provoke communal or political feelings. Meanwhile, probe is on into incidents of bomb explosion, torching of vehicles and communal clashes reported in the region.

“The days are hectic for the police till counting ends. We are doing our best by patrolling, combing and by preparing ourselves,” the district police chief said.