Amid festivities, urban cells of Maoists on ANO radar

Nagpur: State’s anti-naxal operation (ANO) cell has deployed three special squads to keep a watch on suspected elements during the ongoing festive season, which would have back-to-back socio-religious events in the city — Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) Vijayadashami celebration and a large gathering of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s followers at Dhammachakra Pravartan din at Deekshabhoomi and Dragon palace on Dussehra.
The decision to step up vigilance was taken after Maoists’ plan to infiltrate urban organizations and committees, including puja mandals and other outfits, especially during the festivity was bared.
TOI had reported how Maoists plan to spread their network in the urban sectors. It is also suspected that the outlaws may also incite violence and trigger clashes against security forces during the festive season.
As per secret documents of the Maoists, underground and overground frontal organizations are known to come alive during key mass socio-religious events, festivals and political agitations in the urban sectors to infiltrate urban bodies and spur them into action to follow their ideologies.
Sources stated that the ANO has also started deploying personnel during visits of V-VIPs like key politicians, top members of national or state bodies and commissions. Following intel inputs about possibility of attacks on the VVIPs to corner the government, vigilance has been stepped up.
DIG, Naxal range and ANO, Sandip Patil said there are special ‘naxal cells’ in every unit in Maharashtra which have been adequately alerted and sensitized. He refused to divulge more details citing security concerns.
Apart from ANO, city police, state and national security and intelligence agencies too have deployed sleuths in plainclothes across Nagpur and Kamptee.
The agencies are also on alert against sleeper cells of other anti-government forces like Popular Front of India (PFI). These sleeper cells may try to incite masses during various socio-religious events and political agitations in the city, say sources.