Odisha DGP reviews poll preparedness in Maoist affected areas

KORAPUT: Ahead of the upcoming general election, state director general of police (DGP) RP Sharma reviewed the preparedness of state police and Central forces deployed in the districts under the south-western police range at Koraput on Thursday.

Apart from the six SPs of the districts of south-western range of the state, DIG (south-western range) Himansu Lal, IG BSF and senior officials of CRPF attended the meeting chaired by the DGP.

“The present Maoist scenario in the region was assessed and discussion in detail was held about the required steps needed to be taken to ensure no untoward incident takes place in the area during the election period,” Sharma said.

According to Sharma, the officials present at the meeting were urged to increase the intelligence-based anti-Maoist operations in the region by keeping an eye on the general election.

“Our foremost aim is to conduct free and fair election without any violence. All necessary steps will be taken to ensure that the election is conducted peacefully without any untoward incident,” the DGP said.

Officials said deployment and realignment of forces, including para-military forces, strengthening of intelligence network and sharing of intelligence inputs between inter-state police and better coordination between forces at time of joint counter insurgency operations among others tops the agenda during the discussion.

“Area dominance, safety of candidates and safety of star campaigners in the area were discussed in detail. The standard operation procedure (SOP) will be strictly followed during the operations and electioneering time,” he said.

Later, the DGP interacted with the elected panchayat representatives of Malkangiri and Koraput districts where ganja cultivation is done in abundance and urged them to make people aware to take up other cultivation instead of ganja.

“The panchayt members have agreed of shifting cultivation from ganja to other crops. Panchayat representatives of Chitrakonda suggested for turmeric and vegetable cultivation in their area and urged for the establishment of a turmeric procurement centre to encourage farmers for turmeric cultivation,” Sharma said.

Also, the DGP inaugurated the capacity building programme in cyber area for all SP’s of the south-western range with a focus on building cyber infrastructure in Maoist-hit districts.

“The SPs have been urged to setup cyber and social media labs in their respective areas as cyber crime is on rise and most of the illegal activities are taking place with the latest technology,” he said.