Security tightened in Gajapati apprehending Maoist trouble during ULB polls

Brahmapur, Sep 12

Apprehending Maoist menace during the urban body elections, security has been beefed up in areas under Gajapati district bordering Andhra Pradesh.

Paralakhemundi municipality and Kasinagar notified area council (NAC) are the two urban bodies going to polls on September 19along with other urban bodies across the State.

Though Gajapati unlike Malkangiri does not witness as much Maoist-related violence, the authorities have decided not to let anything to chance.

“The Maoist threat perception is always there, regardless of the number of crimes by them. This apart there is every possibility of anti-social elements and rebels entering the district from neighbouring state to unleash terror”, said a senior police official.

Gajapati  superintendent of police (SP) C S Meena said security had been tightened in areas close to the Andhra Pradesh border with a view to checking the entry of anti-socials, smuggling of arms, liquor.

“Border patrolling would continue till the end of elections,” the SP said adding anti-Maoist forces like Special Police Officers (SPO) and District Volunteer Force (DVF) would be utilised for the purpose.

In the two urban areas 10 platoons of forces (six for Paralakhemundi, four for Kasinagar) would be deployed beside other security personnel like mobile striking forces.

Officials view all polling booths in Kasinagar excepting two as trouble-prone. So is the case with as many as 50 percent booths in Paralakhemundi.

“Of the total 41 booths in Parlakhemundi, 8 have been identified as hyper-sensitive and 16 sensitive. While the rest 15 under general category,” said sub-collector-cum election officer Biswajit Biswal.

Of the 13 booths in Kasinagar, booth Nos 9 and 2 are categorised as hyper-sensitive and sensitive respectively. In both the civic bodies women voters outnumber their male counterparts. (PTI)

Also Read

Comments are closed.