Indus Valley Times

By IGP Dr Satyajit Nayak

Cuttack/Odisha,Oct 6: Inspector General of Police, Central Range, Dr Satyajit Nayak has directed all Superintendents of Police under the range to ensure peaceful, free, fair and orderly conduct of Students’ Union and other student body elections in universities and degree colleges during the 2026-27 academic session.

Following directions from the Odisha Director General of Police, the district police have been asked to take preventive and proactive measures in coordination with educational institutions, identify sensitive and vulnerable campuses, assess local law-and-order requirements and ensure adequate deployment at polling and counting centres.

 Officers have also been directed to maintain close watch on activities that could lead to violence, intimidation, group clashes or unlawful assemblies and take firm and impartial action against violations, irrespective of the identity or affiliation of those involved.

Dr Nayak also stressed the need for regular coordination with Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, Principals, election authorities and other stakeholders and for advance meetings to assess security requirements. Arrangements have been sought for traffic management, crowd regulation and emergency response around major educational institutions.

 “The objective is not merely to maintain law and order, but also to facilitate the peaceful exercise of democratic rights by students while ensuring that the academic environment remains undisturbed,” he said. He appealed to students, candidates, student organisations and educational institutions to maintain discipline, mutual respect and democratic values and cooperate with the police for the smooth conduct of the elections.