Odisha ready with operational preparedness to counter Maoist activities during polls DGP

Bhubaneswar, Apr 4 (PTI) The Odisha Police are prepared with operational preparedness to counter any Maoist exercise throughout the Lok Sabha elections, Director Basic of Police Arun Sarangi stated on Thursday.
    “Maoist actions have considerably decreased in the previous few years. Over the past elections in 2019, there have been 20 Maoist-affected districts in Odisha. The quantity has come right down to 10 on this election,” Sarangi advised PTI Video.
    “Maoists alongside the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border have withdrawn to Chhattisgarh, however they could create disturbances throughout the elections,” he stated.
    Maoists within the state are confined to core areas in Boudh, Kandhamal and Kalahandi districts and the police have made elaborate safety preparations and operational plans to counter Maoist actions, if these enhance throughout the election interval, he stated.
    “Anti-Maoist operations are underway. Just lately, we have now neutralised a divisional committee commander and seized explosive supplies within the final two to a few months,” the DGP stated.
    On election preparedness alongside the inter-state border areas, he stated 15 police districts of Odisha share borders with neighbouring West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.
    “We have now already held inter-state cooperation conferences with Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, whereas we may have a gathering with West Bengal very quickly,” he stated.
    In the course of the conferences, discussions had been held on points associated to frame sensitivity, the motion of varied components which will disturb the election course of, and the motion of money, illicit liquor, and narcotic medication.
    Odisha has already arrange 118 test posts alongside totally different borders.
    “We have now our longest inter-state boundary with Chhattisgarh and that space is affected by Maoist actions. So, our dialogue was principally across the trade of intelligence and operational coordination, joint anti-Maoist operations, and the right way to counter the motion and infiltration of Maoists to both facet,” the DGP added.
    Comparable discussions had been held with Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh authorities and people had been profitable, he stated.
    “We’re emphasising cooperation from the decrease degree to the extent of DGP with these states in order that the elections are held easily, peacefully and pretty, permitting a degree enjoying subject for everybody throughout the polls,” he stated.
    When requested about steps taken to test pretend information, Sarangi stated a particular cell below the management of an IGP has been fashioned to take care of it.
    “We’re retaining an in depth watch on social media and the contents shared in it. If we discover any content material which will have an effect on public peace and safety, we are going to take robust motion,” he added.