Sudam Babu | State Bureau Chief Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police has begun reviewing security measures across the state ahead of the upcoming college student union elections, with Director General of Police Binaytosh Mishra directing senior officers to take preventive steps to avoid violence and maintain a peaceful atmosphere on campuses.

Mishra chaired a high-level review meeting through video conferencing from his camp office in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. The meeting brought together district Superintendents of Police and Range Inspectors General and Deputy Inspectors General to assess preparedness and discuss potential law-and-order challenges associated with the elections.

The elections, scheduled for October 15, have prompted police authorities to focus on campus security, peaceful polling and measures to prevent clashes or disturbances after the results are declared.

Preventive Policing Takes Priority

During the review, the DGP emphasised that police action should focus on stopping violent incidents before they occur. He called on officers to identify potential trouble spots, monitor emerging tensions and maintain coordination with college administrations throughout the election period.

He also directed district-level police leadership to remain alert to developments that could disrupt the electoral process. Officers were instructed to respond quickly to disputes or situations that could threaten public order and campus safety.

The emphasis on early intervention reflects the importance of addressing election-related disagreements before they escalate into confrontations.

Security Plans to Reflect Campus Sensitivity

Mishra asked police officials to evaluate individual colleges according to their security requirements and vulnerability to disturbances. Based on these assessments, officers were directed to arrange appropriate police deployments to manage potential risks.

He further stressed that complaints, disputes and tensions connected with the student elections must not be ignored. Such matters should be handled promptly and in accordance with the law to prevent escalation and ensure that the election process proceeds without disruption.

Coordination between police personnel and college authorities was also highlighted as an important element of the security strategy.

Senior Officers Join Statewide Review

The meeting was attended by Director of Intelligence R.P. Kochhe, Additional Director General of Police (SAP) Rajesh Kumar, and Additional Police Commissioner of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, Narasingha Bhol.

Range IGs and DIGs, along with district SPs from across Odisha, participated in the meeting through video conferencing. Their participation enabled senior police officials to review preparedness across different parts of the state and reinforce instructions for maintaining law and order.

Focus on Peaceful Polling and Post-Election Stability

With the October 15 elections approaching, police preparations are focused not only on polling-day security but also on preventing confrontations that may emerge during campaigning or after the results.

The DGP’s directions underline the need for vigilance, timely intervention and cooperation between educational institutions and law enforcement agencies. The immediate priority is to ensure that students can participate in the election process in a safe environment and that disagreements do not develop into violence.

The effectiveness of these measures will depend on local risk assessments, adequate deployment and the ability of police officers to respond appropriately to emerging situations.