Andhra Pradesh police are keeping a strict vigil on the bordering areas of the state to tackle Maoists ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, a top police officer said today.
"Their (Maoists) presence is very much there in neighbouring states of Chhattisgarh and Odisha (bordering Andhra Pradesh)...Keeping that in view and assuming that they may stage a infiltrate these parts (bordering districts of AP) and commit offences, we keep a continuous vigil on these parts, especially through our special parties and specialised anti-Maoist force--Greyhounds, "DGP B Prasada Rao here said.
"These forces will continuously monitor and take counter measures against the Maoists," he said at a 'Meet-the-Press' event hosted by Andhra Pradesh Journalists Forum.
"CPI (Maoists) routinely give poll boycott call before elections. It has happened in the past also. Going by their presence and influence, we take counter measures. We know that Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam are affected by Maoists problem in Telangana region of the state while East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam are LWE affected in coastal districts of AP," Rao said.
He said the cops were aware of the threat the naxals pose to political leaders and also of their method.
"Sometimes, Maoists induct action teams to hit at certain targets. So, we are aware of this threat also and we sensitise the political party leaders those who go for campaigning as well as for conducting political meetings in affected places. The precaution, required bandobast and security arrangements are taken by us," the DGP said.
Asked if there are any specific inputs from Central agencies that Maoists may disrupt electoral process in AP, he said, "That threat is there...We have seen it very recently during polls in Chattisgarh. They attacked police stations and polling parties. We are aware of that and we have been making necessary security arrangements".
Elections are being held for Assembly and Lok Sabha in two-phases on April 30 and May 7 in Andhra Pradesh.
