Even as hectic preparations are under way in the run up to the Srirangam byelection, a couple of Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP) companies have arrived in Tiruchi for poll-related duty.
Constituting 120 police personnel, the two TSP companies — each headed by an Inspector — have been entrusted with assigned tasks and sent to different sub-divisions falling under the limits of the Tiruchi Rural Police.
The TSP companies — one from the 9{+t}{+h}battalion at Manimuthar in Tirunelveli district and the other from the 11{+t}{+h}battalion at Rajapalayam in Virudhunagar district — have been deputed to augment the security strength for the by-poll.
In addition to the two TSP companies, another special police company that is stationed at the District Armed Reserve would be deployed for poll duty. Police said the TSP companies were in addition to the local strength which would be mobilised in good numbers for security duty for the by-election slated on February 13. Both the Tiruchi City Police and the Tiruchi Rural Police were actively involved in drawing up security plans as areas under the Srirangam Assembly constituency come under the jurisdiction of both.
A senior police officer told The Hindu that six election patrol teams had been constituted by the Tiruchi Rural Police with the TSP personnel deputed to each team.
The election patrol teams had been allocated for Jeeyapuram, Tiruverambur, Lalgudi, and Manapparai sub-divisions. The patrol teams would function under the supervision of the respective Inspector of Police .
The TSP personnel would be in place till the by-election was over. The Deputy Superintendents of Police and the Inspectors have been briefed about the model code of conduct. The sources say in addition to Tiruchi City Police and Tiruchi Rural police, personnel from the paramilitary force were expected ahead of the by-election for security duty.
Six election patrol teams constituted
DySPs, inspectors briefed about model code