Even as a hardcore Maoist, Bharat Kanhar, carrying cash reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head, surrendered before the Kandhamal SP on Tuesday, a group of Red rebels set afire a vehicle carrying election officials on Wednesday near Mungunipadar under the Phiringia police station in Kandhamal district.
According to reports, the Maoists warned the officials against carrying out poll duties and forced them to alight from the vehicle. The incident took place in the morning when the officials were heading towards a booth located at Mungunipadar. But all the officials were reportedly safe.
Later, reports said security forces carried out combing operations in the area after getting information about the incident.
Police beefed up security in the State, particularly in the Maoist-affected regions, for smooth conduct of the second phase of polling scheduled on Thursday.
Briefing on the security arrangements in various Maoist-dominated regions of the State, Western Range DIG Kabita Jalan said that as per guidelines of the Election Commission of India, polling booths have been categorised as sensitive and critical and the scaling of security deployment has been done in those booths accordingly. Jalan informed that Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personned have been deployed in sensitive booths. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Special Operations Group (SOG) and District Volunteer Force (DVF) personnel have been asked to intensify anti-Maoist operations in the extremist-infested areas of the constituencies going to polls. Flag marches were also being organised to create awareness to maintain peace. “We have held discussions with our neighbouring States regarding security issues on the borders. They have engaged anti-Maoist forces in their borders and we have also deployed CRPF and other forces like DVF and SOG in the nearby bordering areas to prevent any kind of untoward incidents. The security procedure would remain in force till the conclusion of the elections,” said the DIG.
“Mobile parties and patrolling vehicles have been engaged for the security of polling parties and voters. We have also deployed striking forces in some sensitive zones so that immediate action can be taken in emergency situations,” added Jalan.
