CRPF intensifies combing operation
10 February, 2007
GUNUPUR: Although the ‘boycott-poll’ call given by the Maoists had no impact in Rayagada district, the administration is not taking any chances. Combing operation has been intensified by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in remote areas of the district, Sub-Collector Ranjan Sharma said.Despite a threat by Naxals, candidates could not be dissuaded from filing nomination papers in both Rayagada and Gunupur sub-divisions of the district.
Even the hardliner CPI-ML (Liberation) fielded its candidates for the polls. But the administration is prepared to tackle any untoward incident in future, Sharma said, adding, the candidates would be provided adequate security.Sources said though the campaign process has kicked off in Rayagada sub-division, it is yet to pick up in Gunupur sub-division which is more prone to Naxal activity.
Sharma, however, attributes it to the predominance of tribals in Gunupur sub-division.According to him, proximity to the district headquarters town has facilitated the campaigning process in rural areas of Rayagada sub-division. But in Gunupur sub-division, the electorate, comprising mostly landless tribals, has little interest in the process.
All booths in Gunupur sub-division have been either marked sensitive or hyper-sensitive. CRPF personnel, along with Orissa State Armed Police (OSAP) personnel, would be on duty there during the election. Chadrapur and Muniguda blocks, which are most Naxal-prone in Gunupur sub-division, are scheduled to go to polls on February 13.
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Labels: CPI(Maoist), News, Orissa
posted by Bimal 10.2.07,
