Police dress up as farmers in naxal-hit UP districts

Lucknow, Mar 16 (UNI) Realising that they were the hot targets for naxals, police and PAC personnel deployed in the three naxal-infested districts of East Uttar Pradesh have shed their Khaki uniforms for the dhoti and turban of farmers while patrolling the area.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations) in Mirzapur Balendu Bhushan -- one of three naxal-infested districts of East UP -- told UNI over phone that the state government has provided funds to the security personnel to hire private vehicles like MUVs and SUVs, besides tractors to keep an eye over naxal extremists.

Mr Bhushan further said that as the security personnel were the prime target of the naxalites, the police and PAC in Mirzapur have shed their uniform to don the attire of common people, including farmers.

''Our men pose as farmers perched on tractors, besides commoners driving cars like Chevrolets and Boleros, to keep strict vigil over the naxal-infested areas, without being spotted,'' he added.

At present, four companies of PAC were deployed security in naxal infested areas of Mirzapur, while seven companies and three of CRPF were deployed in rugged region of neighbouring Sonebhadra district and three companies each of PAC and CRP were on their toes in the adjacent Chandauli district, IG (Varanasi Zone) K L Meena said.

The recent train siege by naxals in the Palamu area of Jharkhand, coupled with the March seven twin blast in Varanasi, besides prospects of naxal strikes in three districts during Holi have prompted the security set up in the region to be on high alert.

Besides the regular patrolling, extra security cover has been provided to police outposts and stations in the region. The quick reaction teams (QRTs) of police and PAC, besides CRP are also on high alert, to deal befittingly with any naxal misadventure, Mr Meena added.

The IG further said that in the wake of Varanasi blast, security has been tightened in not only the important temples of the holy city, but also adjacent areas including Sitamarhi -- the place where legends say Goddess Sita ventured into earth.

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