Gariyaband: To ensure that Naxal influence does not affect the elections in Chhattisgarh and Odisha and to prevent the influx of temptations, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Dharmgarh in Odisha, along with the SP of Mainpur, has devised a strategy to conduct peaceful elections. A meeting was held in Devbhog with the border police station in-charges to discuss curbing criminal activities.
In Odisha, both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are scheduled to be held simultaneously on May 13. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha elections are scheduled for April 26 in the state. Many activities that could affect the elections are likely to take place in both states. Therefore, to deal with this, a joint strategy has been formulated by the Dharmgarh subdivision of Kalahandi district and the Mainpur subdivision police. A successful meeting was held with the border police station in-charges in Devbhog, under the leadership of Mainpur SP Bajee Lal Singh and Dharmgarh SP Manoj Behera. The meeting focused on discussing potential activities that could affect the elections and formulating strategies to address them. A list of individuals involved in illegal activities and identification of villages will be done by both police departments. A joint WhatsApp group will also be formed for officers from both states to quickly exchange information and take action.
The dates for elections are different in both states. Therefore, it has been decided to close all liquor shops along the pre-election border from all sides through senior officers’ correspondence with the Election Commission.
Cheap liquor from Odisha can be smuggled into the Mainpur division. There is a huge difference between Chhattisgarh and Odisha’s liquor policies. Therefore, Odisha’s liquor is easily available at 20 to 25 percent lower prices than government liquor available here. Everything from raw liquor packaged in Mahua to premium English liquor and beer from renowned companies is easily available. Except for the western region, the border of Odisha is within 5 to 8 kilometers of all three sides. Apart from the major routes for smuggling, there are more than 50 such rough and small roads, which pose a challenge for the police to prevent smuggling. Therefore, besides roads, the police will also keep an eye on people involved in work to prevent them from smuggling illegal liquor and other temptations.
Gariyaband is a Naxal-affected district. Odisha has not forgotten the echo of the Naxalite blasts during the Assembly elections. According to current intelligence reports in Kalahandi, the activities of 40 women and 30 male uniformed Naxalites have increased in the area of the Amapani police station in the Mainpur subdivision since February. Naxalites have also been identified as part of the Mainpur division committee. Since there will be a lot of pressure during the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, not only will Naxalite activities be monitored, but efforts will also be made to easily carry out the activities of tempting people who affect the elections from the Chhattisgarh border area. Dealing with this will also be a challenge for the Dharmgarh police. Odisha police have already started monitoring vehicles in the border areas besides checking them, using a third eye.
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