Naxalites pose threat to upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Orissa

Malkangiri (Orissa), Apr 13 (ANI): Naxalites have been feverish in their efforts to disrupt the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Orissa.

They have set up training camps in the forests, skirting border areas of Orissa and Chhattisgarh.

At these training camps, the Naxals have horses, which can be used to commute through forests and mountainous areas. Special educational classes are being organised for the cadres and arrangements for their entertainment have also been made.

Areas of influence of the Naxals have spread over Malkangiri, Koraput, Raigarh, Gajpati, Kandhmal and Sundargarh regions of Orissa.

Election officials in Orissa admit the presence of Naxalites but assure that adequate security provision have been made for the smooth functioning of polls.

"It is a fact that Naxal problem is growing in Orissa, considering the facts and comparing it with 2004...These things happen in such a way that we cannot be hundred per cent confident or satisfied. We have made arrangements to the best of our capability," said Alka Panda, State Electoral Officer in Orissa.

Panda further informed that more central para-military personnel are likely to be deployed in Malkangiri and Kandhmal districts of Orissa, considering these areas are sensitive and also vulnerable to attack by the Naxalites.

"In Malkangiri definitely more deployment of central police forces, deployment of helicopters would be there and due attention will be paid to those districts considering that they are vulnerable," Panda added.

Maoists claim that their objective is to fight for the rights of poor marginal farmers and landless labourers but most of the time they are engaged in attacking police personnel and government establishments.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had described Maoists as the single biggest threat to India's internal security. By Sarada Lahangir(ANI)