Odisha Police Chief Urges Measures to Prevent Violence Ahead of Campus Elections
Odishas DGP Vinayak Mishra calls for proactive steps to ensure peace during upcoming campus elections amid rising concerns over violence.
Bhubaneswar, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : The Director General of Police (DGP) of Odisha, Vinayak Mishra, has directed senior police officials to take proactive measures to prevent violence during campus elections starting Thursday. During a high-level review meeting via video conference at his office in Bhubaneswar, Mishra emphasized the importance of consulting with college authorities to maintain order and ensure a smooth electoral process.
The meeting included district superintendents of police (SPs) and range inspector generals (IGs) and deputy inspector generals (DIGs). Mishra highlighted the need to avert violence in college campuses, maintain peace, and prevent post-election disturbances.
He stressed that law enforcement should prioritize preventive measures rather than responding reactively to incidents of violence. To this end, Mishra instructed police officers to maintain regular contact with college officials and closely monitor areas where tensions might arise.
The DGP also called for immediate intervention in sensitive situations during and after the elections. He advised police personnel to assess potentially volatile conditions and deploy adequate officers as necessary to uphold law and order.
In a related appeal, the state’s Higher Education Minister, Surya Banshi Suraj, urged students across Odisha to refrain from engaging in any acts of violence and to participate in the elections peacefully. According to recent data from the Higher Education Department, a total of 6,891 candidates are contesting in the 2026-27 student union elections.
Due to previous incidents of violence and unrest, campus elections have been canceled in several colleges across the state. Meanwhile, leaders from various student organizations, including the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the Biju Janata Dal’s student wing (BCJD), and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), are gearing up to secure victories in the upcoming elections.
