BHUBANESWAR: Over 17,000 police personnel have fanned across eight districts — Ganjam, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, and Kalahandi — under four Lok Sabha and 28 assembly segments in Odisha, where elections will be conducted on Monday. These districts are Kalahandi, Berhampur, Koraput, and Nabarangpur Lok Sabha seats and 28 assembly constituencies under them will go to polls on Monday, first of the 4-phase elections in Odisha.
We are fully prepared for the first phase of elections. Over 17,000 police personnel, including 104 companies of central forces, 66 platoons of state police, and officers of different ranks have been deployed to ensure the peaceful conduct of elections, said DGP Arun Sarangi.
Special arrangements have been made in six Naxal-affected districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, and Kalahandi. These districts have 537 polling booths. According to sources, at least 539 anti-Naxalite operations have already been launched in these six districts since Jan 1 this year.
At least 138 operational parties of central paramilitary forces and 37 units of special operations group (SOG) and district voluntary force (DVF) are in action. Neighboring Chhattisgarh launched operations in five locations, whereas Andhra Pradesh launched nine operations in the bordering areas. One Maoist leader was killed a few days ago, Sarangi said.
To monitor anti-Maoist initiatives, ADG (operations) S Dev Datta Singh has been camping in the sensitive areas. Police sources said the Election Commission has allotted a helicopter to Odisha for the smooth movement of polling personnel in Naxal-affected pockets. Besides, the office of the state chief electoral officer (CEO) has provided an air ambulance for use during emergencies in the Naxal-hit constituencies.
Sarangi said at least 19 cases related to election-related offenses and violations of the model code of conduct have so far been registered across the state. About 33,000 non-bailable warrants have been executed, recalled, and disposed of in the last five months. He added that seven individuals have been booked under the National Security Act (NSA). Along with that, 233 illegal firearms, 112 cartridges, 113 bombs, and 1530 explosives have been seized. 725 quintals of ganja and 4.5 kg of brown sugar have also been confiscated, and 1048 persons have been arrested so far. Besides, the police said Rs 4.1 crore in cash was seized at naka points in different districts.
