Army called out in 11 districts of Punjab: Second phase of LB polls
By Our Staff Reporter
LAHORE, Aug 22: The army has been called out in the 11 Punjab districts declared sensitive in the second phase of local body elections. Disturbance at a Gujranwala polling station had continued for about 45 minutes, resulting in killing of man in the first phase of local polls on Aug 18, but army troops deployed at main roads in the town could not reach the troubled spot.
To avoid repetition of any such incident, the acting CEC directed that the army deployment in sensitive districts should be visible and in moving position.
District police officers (DPOs) have been warned against any untoward incident in any district on polling day (Aug 25).
Acting chief election commissioner Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar on Monday directed Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Rasool and Inspector General of Police Maj Ziaul Hasan (retired) that they should convey the warning in writing to all the 18 DPOs.
The acting EC chief, presiding over a high-level meeting here to review law and order situation for the polling day, has directed police to launch a crackdown on proclaimed offenders and other criminals so that they could not create any law and order problem during pre and post-polling process.
He imposed a ban on processions by winners under Section 144 and warned that any candidate violating the ban would stand disqualified. Later, talking to reporters, he said FIR had been registered against the policemen on duty at the Gujranwala polling station where a man had been killed.
