Para military, state security forces deployed in Midnapore

Midnapore, Apr 7 (UNI) Apprehending Maoist strikes in West Midnapore district, central para-military and state security forces have been deployed to ensure smooth polling.

BSF personnel, armed with mine detectors, were seen sanitising the area at several places.

District Superintendent of Police Ajay Nand said 250 companies of para-military forces, including BSF and CRPF, were being deployed in the Maoist-hit three constituencies of Binpur, Salboni and Garbeta.

'' 106 companies have already been deployed and 144 more would arrive soon, '' he said.

Apart from these Central forces, state police forces were also deployed in the affected constituencies, he said.

Asked if the state administration apprehended any violence by the Maoists during the poll, the SP said, '' We do not apprehend any big incident, but they may try to attack polling parties. They may also target security forces by planting landmines. We cannot rule out incidents like this. '' On what steps were being taken to prevent such violence through deployment of adequate security forces, he said, '' We are undertaking combing operation, area domination to instil a sense of security among the voters. '' UNI XC KK MIR BS1836