Dist admn calls for ANF, civil police for fair elections

Shimoga, May 1 (UNI) The district administration has requisitioned paramilitary forces to supplement Anti Naxal Force (ANF) and civil police to ensure free and fair elections in the district which goes to the polls, in the second phase, on May 16.

The district administration had decided to take the service of para military forces on the backdrop of the Maoists call to boycott elections in the Naxal infested areas in the district.

Deputy Commissioner T K Anil Kumar said the administration had identified 34 booths as hyper sensitive due to the 'presence' of Naxalites.

This included 30 polling booths in Thirthahalli taluk, including one in Agumbe, boardering both Chickmagalur and Udupi districts, four in Sagar.

He said the anti Naxal squad would be armed with night vision equipment and sophisticated fire arms, including AK 47, provided during the operation against forest brigand Veerappan.

Intensive training was being provided to the police force and round the clock vigil had continued in the Naxal hit areas, he added.

UNI XR RS GKT RL VC2016