24-hour video surveillance of LIP candidate Simarjit Singh Bains and INC candidate Kamaljit Singh Karwal in Atam Nagar

Ludhiana, February 9, 2022: In view of a recent clash between supporters of two candidates in Atam Nahar constituency and to ensure no such incident takes place in future, Returning Officer of 62-Atam Nagar constituency has ordered 24-hour video surveillance of Lok Insaf Party (LIP) candidate Simarjit Singh Bains and Indian National Congress (INC) candidate Kamaljit Singh Karwal.

In a press statement issued here today, District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana Varinder Kumar Sharma said that District Administration Ludhiana is keeping close tab on activities of all candidates and warned of strict action if any person tries to take law into their own hands.

He said that after randomisation, around 20,000 officials have been deputed for election duty. He said that to ensure that the Model Code of Conduct is properly enforced, 9 static surveillance teams each, 9 flying squad teams and 3 video viewing teams each have been deputed in all 14 assembly constituencies of district Ludhiana.

He said that on the evening of February 7, 2022, supporters of Simarjit Singh Bains and Kamaljit Singh Karwal had clashed in Atam Nagar area, after which strict legal action against them was initiated and an FIR was registered. He informed that a 24-hour video surveillance team has been deputed with both of them and it would move with these candidates at all times so that such incident doesn’t occur again.

He assured the residents that no person would be allowed to take law into their own hands and that all voters should exercise their right to vote without any fear on February 20, 2022. He warned of strict action if any person tries to disrupt peace and break rules.

Commissioner of Police Ludhiana Gurpreet Singh Bhullar informed that an FIR was registered instantly in the recent clash between supporters of Simarjit Singh Bains and Kamaljit Singh Karwal. He said that after this incident, Joint Commissioner of Police (Rural) Ravcharan Singh Brar immediately rushed to the spot and during preliminary investigation, it was found that there was dereliction of duty by area SHO, who was immediately suspended from duty.

He said that a direct message was given that if anyone takes law into their own hands, Ludhiana Police would not hesitate to register FIR against all such persons. He informed that MLA Balwinder Singh Bains had visited his office yesterday and had claimed that some persons mentioned in this FIR were not present on the spot.

He informed that MLA Simarjit Singh Bains was questioned in detail for 9 hours yesterday and said that he would again be summoned for questioning on the basis of visual, material or eye witness evidence as the investigation progresses. He assured that people should not think that the case has ended, but it is the start of investigation. Team headed by Ravcharan Singh Brar is investigating the case in detail and all persons behind this incident would not be spared. He said that no person is above law and we have special focus in this particular area. 

Gurpreet Singh Bhullar informed that 8 assembly constituencies of the district fall under Police Commissionerate Ludhiana. He assured that the Ludhiana police is fully geared up for maintaining law and order. He said that 43 companies of paramilitary force along with companies from PAP and commando battalions have been deployed in area under Police Commissionerate Ludhiana. He said that quick reaction team of the paramilitary force have also been deployed in each constituency. He informed that the Ludhiana Police is also constantly in touch with DRI, NCB and Excise Department regarding check on flow of drugs and contrabands. He said that few days ago, 95,000 litres of illicit liquor has been recovered and destroyed by CIA team from the banks of Sutlej river in Ladhowal area.

He informed that the Election Commission of India has deputed 5 senior IAS officers as General Observers, 6 senior IRS officers as Expenditure Observers and 3 IPS officers as Police Observers in district Ludhiana.