Hyderabad:
Andhra Pradesh has sought a 20 per cent increase in deployment of Central paramilitary forces over 2009 elections for the peaceful conduct of simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls to thwart Naxal bids to infiltrate and disrupt the electoral process.
"Our main endeavour is to arrest the infiltration of Maoist dalams (squads) from across the bordering states of Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra into Andhra Pradesh. The ultras form action teams/parties to disrupt the election process or to hit specific targets," state DGP B Prasada Rao told reporters in Hyderabad.
Rao said the state had projected 20 per cent more number of security forces compared to such deployment in troubled pockets during 2009 general elections and expressed hope of getting the requisite support from the Centre in this regard.
"We are aware of this (Left Wing Extremism) threat. The main concentration is on bordering areas. We had a video conference with the SPs and senior police officers of the bordering districts to make them aware of the threat and for taking necessary precautionary measures," Rao said.
Between March 30 and May 7, four elections - urban local bodies, Panchayats, Assembly and Lok Sabha - are scheduled in the state, where eight extremist-affected districts border three states.
He said the ultras give a call for boycott of elections and try to enforce it. "They step up their (violent) activities... Police are aware of such a possibility and are taking precautionary measures," he added.
Asked on the audacity of the Maoists to attack police force, the DGP said, "...threat is there and we are aware of the threat that is looming. They can come in these areas and we are taking all precautions".
"Greyhounds force (a special wing of Andhra Pradesh police, in fighting Naxals) will be deployed in strategic places to arrest/contain any kind of infiltration," the DGP said.
"They (Naxals) have practice of forming action teams by conducting recee of areas and commit the offences and SPs have been asked to take care of such aspects," the top cop said.
"The movement is basically in Khammam and Visakhapatnam rural districts and the inhospitable terrain (in these areas) is facilitating their (Maoists) infiltration... Anyhow we are taking measures to penetrate those areas also," Rao said.
He said the Maoist activities rise on this side (Andhra Pradesh) during election period as they try to show their presence.
The DGP said a state-level committee of senior police personnel, including SPs, will assess the threat perception vis-a-vis politicians and public personalities and accordingly beef up security for them based on the inputs.
He said the police was keeping a vigil on the faction-ridden areas of Rayalaseema and on forces which foment trouble in communally-sensitive areas, where there would be more deployment of security forces.
He said out of the total of 68,678 polling stations for Lok Sabha polls, 26,135 are classified as "critical".
Reacting to a query, the DGP said action was being taken to finalise under-investigation cases on electoral offences.
"NBWs execution is top priority. Binding over of trouble-mongers, rowdies, suspects, anti-social elements and offenders involved in previous elections has begun.
"Static surveillance teams and flying squads have been set up in all districts with 1038 check posts and 942 flying squads, respectively," Rao said.
He said police personnel in the districts are trained on various aspects of conducting polls in a free and fair manner.