Security has been stepped up in three poll-bound Maoist infested constituencies of Kanker, Rajnandgaon and Mahasamund in Chhattisgarh amid inputs that naxals may foment trouble in these sensitive areas on April 17, when voting be held there during the second phase of Lok Sabha elections.
According to Intelligence Bureau sources, around 500 cadres of PLGA (Peoples’ Liberation Guerrilla Army)- a military wing of CPI (Maoist)- have been mobilised in these areas to create disturbances in the electoral process.
"We were already having inputs of naxals may obstruct electoral process in the conflict zone. But after the recent attacks on security forces and polling parties in Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, we are more cautious," an Intelligence Bureau Official told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
There is input on mobilisation of large number of military Dalam cadres from adjoining Gadchiroli (naxal-hit area of Maharashtra) to Kanker and Rajnandgaon, and from Odisha to Mahasamund following which security forces have been told to be extra alert, he said.
“They may target polling personnel and security forces now in these regions,” he said.
Besides, these cadres have been visiting many villages in their stronghold in Rajnandgaon, Kanker and Mahsamund Lok Sabha seats since past few days, putting up posters and asking people not to cast votes in the coming elections, he added.
Concerned police authorities have also been directed to step up patrolling in these areas.
Several other general instructions are also issued to them as a precautionary measure, the IB official said.
According to Additional Director General of Police (Naxal Operation) R K Vij, after receiving inputs on movement of naxals on the inter-state border region of Rajnandgaon, Kanker and Mahasamund, police personnel have been asked to remain alert and intensify patrolling.
"To avoid any disturbance and ensure fair and peaceful polling large number of security personnel have been deployed in the region," the ADG said.
Naxal-hit Kanker, Rajnandgaon and Mahsamund seat will witness polling on April 17 in the second phase of parliamentary polls in the state.
On April 9, a day ahead of polls in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar constituency, naxals had killed three commandos of CRPF's COBRA battalion and injured six other troopers in separate attacks.
Later, after two days, Naxals struck twice on April 12 blowing up a bus and an ambulance in Bijapur and Bastar districts killing 14 people including seven members of a polling party and five CRPF personnel.
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