Odisha Polls: Police In Districts Along Chhattisgarh Border On High Alert, Says DGP

Nuapada: Director General of Police (DGP) Arun Sarangi on Monday said the districts of Odisha having border with Chhattisgarh have been put on high alert to prevent infiltration of Maoists to disrupt the ensuing elections.

Sarangi reviewed the security preparedness with senior police officials at the District Intelligence and Operational Centre in Nuapada on the day. He discussed the arrangements for law and order, security of voters and polling officials and measures against the Maoists during the elections.

The DGP also discussed Maoist activities in neighbouring Chhattisgarh with senior police officers in the meeting.

ADG Sanjay Kumar, ADG (Operations) Suresh Dev Datta Singh, DIG (SIW) Kanwar Vishal Singh, Koraput SWR Charan Singh Meena, Kalahandi SP Abhilash G and Nuapada SP Gundala Reddy Raghavendra attended the meeting.

Speaking to the media persons after the meeting, the DGP said Nuapada and Kalahandi districts, which share border with Chhattisgarh, hold significance in the context of Maoist activities during the elections.

He said though elections in Odisha and Chhattisgarh were held simultaneously earlier, those have been scheduled with sufficient gap this time. It may give the Maoists in neighbouring state enough time to sneak into Odisha to disrupt electioneering.

“We are keeping sharp vigil in the border areas. The districts on Chhattisgarh border have been put on high alert. The police of both states have been carrying out operations in suspected Maoist areas to prevent infiltration by the members of the banned outfit,” Sarangi said.

Besides, provision has been made to airlift poll personnel and materials to inaccessible areas, particularly inside  Sunabeda sanctuary, the DGP added.