Drones to be eyes in sky for Mira-Bhayandar civic elections

Mumbai: Enhanced strength, preventive measures, intensified vigilance and patrolling are regular activities the police personnel undertake to help prevail a conducive atmosphere for the people to exercise their franchise in any election. However, the Mira Road division of the Thane (rural) police has something different to offer — this time the cops will have drones in the air for the upcoming Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) polls.

The Thane (rural) police recently procured the drones mounted with high definition cameras, which will not only keep an aerial eye to help ensure free, fair and peaceful pre/post polling process, but also click photographs, which can later be used to identify trouble-makers and a strong evidence to nail them.

“While on-ground security arrangements have been enhanced to avert any type of untoward incident and ensure there are no violations of the model code of conduct, drones in the air will aide aerial policing. This besides deployment of special teams in each police station to keep an eye on those with criminal antecedents, so that people exercise their franchise in a peaceful atmosphere.” said Thane (rural) superintendent of police, Dr Mahesh Patil. Preventive actions under the relevant sections of the CrPC, including temporary externment (ordering unlawful elements to disperse themselves from the area) have also been initiated against notorious criminals and history-sheeters so they do not create any nuisance, police said.

A total 509 candidates are in fray for the 95-member MBMC that goes to poll on August, 20. Results will be declared on August 21.

With a total populace of 8,09,378, the strength of the electorate stands at 5,93,354.