Sunday, April 9 2006 12:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Directing the police and security forces to strengthen security to ensure the safety of candidates during the Assembly bypolls in the state, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Gopal Sharma today (Apr 09, 2006) said conditions should be created so that they can move about freely in the constituencies.

"Beef up security for the candidates and voters so that free and peaceful election is ensured," Sharma said addressing a high-level police and security force officers' meeting held at Sopore, 55 kms from here.

The meeting was convened to review security arrangement for ensuing bi-elections in Pattan, Sangrama, Rafiabad in Kashmir and Bhaderwah in Jammu.

Sharma said extra alertness is needed to be adopted and put in place to defeat and frustrate the evil designs of the elements inimical to peace and democratic process in the state.

Stressing for enhanced security for contesting candidates, the police chief said condition should be created so that they could campaign in their constituencies without any hindrances and move freely at their choice for canvassing among the voters.

The DGP also took stock of the situation and discussed in detail the circumstances which led to the killing of two Congress councillors and a political worker within four days in the first week of April in Sopore and Baramulla at the hands of militants and emphasised upon the concerned police officers to speed up the investigation process, so that culprits could be brought to book at the earliest.