The District Administration has taken all measures to ensure that the election to Mysore City Corporation (MCC) is conducted fairly without giving any scope for corruption and malpractices. Dr. Ramegowda, who recently took charge as Mysore's Deputy Commissioner, has taken the elections as a challenge as it is his first major assignment.

Dr. Ramegowda, who held a press meet yesterday morning at his office, decided to go on a night beat along with his gunman to check for the security aspects as well as malpractices. Dr. Ramegowda travelled across 15 Wards in Mysore city in a private car along with his walkie-talkie.

Starting his journey at 9.30 pm yesterday, the DC was on the night beat till 1 am. Star of Mysore also joined Dr. Ramegowda while he was on the beat.

At first when Dr. Ramegowda entered Ashokapuram, he witnessed people were consuming alcohol on the roadsides and as soon as they saw the DC with his gunman, they ran helter-skelter. Dr. Ramegowda also raised objections when a few youth were preparing to distribute pamphlets. The youth were asked to return to their houses and distribute pamphlets in the morning.

After visiting about 12 Wards, when Dr. Ramegowda arrived at Devayyanahundi, he saw a few Police personnel checking a lorry on information about liquor being illegally transported. On seeing the DC at the spot, the Police and Excise personnel were shocked. They rushed towards him to inform him about the lorry being checked on information about the possible transport of liquor. The officials informed the DC about them keeping a tight vigil on the vehicles plying during late night hours. They also informed that not a single case of any malpractice was found. Dr. Ramegowda left the spot informing the officials to check every vehicle plying on the road.

The DC later arrived at Jayanagar where he saw groups of people holding meetings in front of a few candidates' residences. As soon as they saw the Deputy Commissioner, they escaped from the spot but there was no illegal activity reported from the spot.

Later, when he arrived at K.G. Koppal, a few people who were gearing themselves to distribute money to the voters fled when they saw Dr. Ramegowda. A Police Constable who was at the spot trying to scatter the group ran towards the Deputy Commissioner and reported that he was trying to scatter the group, and informed that no illegal activity had taken place.

At Kukkarahalli, a few people who were lazing along with alcohol escaped from the spot after Deputy Commissioner’s gunman Basappa tried to catch hold of them. Later, the DC visited Sharadadevi Nagar, T.K. Layout, Paduvarahalli and also examined the mustering centres.

Action against an official: On receiving complaint about a Returning Officer about not initiating action against a person who was caught by the public while transporting liquor and sarees, DC Dr. Ramegowda warned the official, informing him that an enquiry regarding the matter would be held today.

Later, Dr. Ramegowda informed that patrolling was being done to ensure that free, fair and peaceful election was conducted. He said that similar patrolling would be continued even today.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore