Security tightened to prevent Maoists during Bengal elections

Durgapur, Mar 11 (UNI) Altogether 500 companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will be deployed in the Bankura, Purulia and Midnapore districts of West Bengal during the assembly elections this year to prevent Maoist attacks, state's Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia said today.

Talking to newspersons after an urgent meeting of senior police officials of the three districts here, Mr Kanojia said the CRPF companies will start arriving in the state from April 2.

Police had identified 13 sensitive police stations in the area where majority of the CRPF jawans will be deployed, he said.

Special security arrangements will be made for Belpahari, Salboni and Bagmundi police stations in West Midnapore, Bandwan, Jhalda, Jajpur and Manbazar police stations in Purulia and Salimpur and Sarenga and Simlipal police stations in Bankura.

Police had sought helicopters from the Centre for the manning the sensitive areas, he said.

Police is also contemplating innovative techniques to avert Maoist attacks in the three districts, he said.

The police supers intendent of the districts submitted reports about their districts to Mr Kanojia today.

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