117 highly sensitive booths identified in Rayagada

--SWR IG reviews security situation

RAYAGADA: Out of the total 840 polling booths, 117 booths were identified as highly sensitive and 79 were sensitive in Rayagada district which will go to polls on April 10. As the district has Maoist affected areas, more attention will be given in the highly sensitive booths for a free and fair polling process, said South Western range IG Yasawant Jethwa at a review meeting here on Thursday.

Jethwa said proper security arrangement has been made like mobilisation of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and other State forces at strategic locations in the district keeping in view of Maoist attack. Total nine flying squads and nine Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) have been formed under the charge of one Executive Magistrate in each team to detect any violation of Model Code of Conduct, he added.

To ensure peaceful polling, the police have executed 330 persons against whom the non-bailable warrants (NBWs) were pending. As many as 76 licence holders of arms out of the total 268 licence holders have already deposited their arms before the district police ahead of polls. The police seized two illegal arms five bombs during raids in different areas in the district.

In order to check illegal liquor business, the excise police have conducted 103 raids and have lodged 89 excise cases against 88 persons after seizing 977 litres of liquors in the district.

“We have intensified patrolling in Maoists affected areas and have started checking of motor vehicles at all strategic points to prevent threat from the Maoists,” said Jethwa.

Among others, the Rayagada Collector and the SP were present in the review meeting.