UPPER DIR, April 27: Deputy Inspector General of Police, Malakand range Mohammad Abdullah on Saturday warned police in Upper Dir against taking sides in the May 11 election.

During a meeting with candidates of different parties and local elders here at Police Lines, he said police were impartial during the candidates’ election campaign and if any official was found favouring or discriminating against any party or candidate, he would be dealt with strictly.

“We, police, are no rulers but servants of the people, so we’ll have to stay neutral in election,” he said.

Mr Abdullah said police’s main responsibility was to ensure peaceful environment for election and that was what they were doing. He said police had provided security to all candidates in the district.

The DIG said tight security was in place for areas bordering Afghanistan. He said security situation was better in Upper Dir than other districts of the province but even then, police were alert to possible security threats.

“We have been ensuring by all means that proper security measures are in place for peaceful election,” he said.

It merits mentioning here that Upper Dir borders Afghanistan, where Taliban militants from Swat and other districts of Malakand division have safe havens.

During the last couple of years, they have launched many deadly cross-border attacks. Pakistan Army has deployed personnel along the border to prevent militant attacks.