Ahead of polls, DGP reviews security of two Maoist-hit dists

Bhubaneswar: The director general of police, Arun Sarangi, on Monday conducted a review meeting of left-wing extremism-hit Nuapada and Kalahandi districts ahead of polls.
“Anti-Maoists operation is on from our side and from Chhattisgarh (which shares borders with Nuapada) as well. This time the election dates are different in Odisha and in Chhattisgarh, unlike last election.So, Maoists may try to create disturbance in bordering areas. We are keeping a close watch on activities of different groups. At least 10 platoons of central forces are deployed in Kalahandi and Nuapada districts. The border with Chhattisgarh is kept under vigil after the April 16 Maoist encounter in the neighbouring state,” Sarangi told media persons.
Nuapada and Kalahandi will go to polls on May 13.
Sarangi said preparations began since the first week of January with preventive arrests, blocking and setting up border checkposts, conducting flag marches and executing arrest warrants.
Additional director general (law and order) Sanjay Kumar, additional director general (operations) Devdutt Singh and southern-western range DIG Charan Singh Meena were present during the review.
The meeting came in the aftermath of police receiving intelligence inputs that Maoists have stepped up their activities in Nuapada. In August 2023, Maoists had blown off a forest beat house at Golabandh in Kermeli panchayat in Nuapada, triggering fresh left-wing extremist violence. The Maoist cadres from Mainpur-Nuapada division, which is operating in a different name is active in the area, police officials said.