Para military forces to provide security in naxal hit Shimoga Dst.

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

The district administration has taken decision to take the service of Para Military forces on the backdrop of the Maoists call to boycott the 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 bordring both Chickmagalur and Udupi districts, four in Sagar and one in the district border near Agumbe were also declared hyper sensitive due to the presence of the naxals.

He said the anti naxal squad would be armed with night vision equipment and sophisticated fire arms including AK 47s provided during the action against forest brigand Veerappa.

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 TS1935