IG K.S. Meena in Bokaro on Friday. Picture by Pankaj Singh

Bokaro, March 13: Inspector-general (IG) of North Chhotanagpur range K.S. Meena on Friday called for strict action against criminals and Naxalites to ensure free and fair Lok Sabha elections in Bokaro.

The IG today held a meeting with top police officers of the district at the office of the Bokaro superintendent of police in which he issued a number of instructions that the men in uniform need to follow.

Later talking to the media, Meena said that the police officers have been asked to launch operation in Naxalite-affected areas of the district ahead of the elections. Regarding the recent landmine blast at Panchkiro in which one CRPF jawan was injured, the IG said that it was the work of Maoists residing in nearby areas. Those behind the incident have been identified, he added.

Meena has also ordered a crackdown on criminals besides directing the officers to execute all the pending warrants at the earliest. . “All pending cases against criminals and goons need to be disposed off on priority basis,” he said.

Instructions have also been issued to prepare a list of sensitive booths in the district so that vigil can be intensified at these places.

Speaking about the appointment of new officers in the district, Meena said that the incumbents have been asked to first get familiar with the location by visiting the different areas.

After Meena left Bokaro SP Lakshman Singh held a meeting with the police officers in charge of the different police stations in the district. Singh instructed them to ensure strict implementation of the model code of conduct during the Lok Sabha elections. Further, the police officers have been asked to ensure that traffic rules are not violated during the polls.

Singh also apprised them of the election manual and the provisions of the model code of conduct. The officers have been asked to prepare a list of the sensitive booths in keeping with Meena’s instruction.