Make Naxalite areas no-fly zones, BSF warns police

Politicians on the campaign trail in Maharashtra, ahead of the assembly polls, have been advised not to fly in commercial helicopters over three districts — Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Gondia — in the state, reports Debasish Panigrahi

Politicians on the campaign trail in Maharashtra, ahead of the assembly polls, have been advised not to fly in commercial helicopters over three districts — Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Gondia — in the state.

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The three districts have strong Naxalite presence. The Naxalites have boycotted the elections.

“Politicians should avoid flying over these areas,” said Gadchiroli police spokesperson N.S. Jagtap. Commercial helicopters fly at low altitude and can be targeted easily.

The police advisory was issued after the Border Security Force (BSF), deployed in these districts to ensure peaceful polling, sent alerts about plans to target these aircraft.

The BSF has sought four Mi17 helicopters from the air force.

During the Lok Sabha polls, Naxalites had attacked a commercial state-owned helicopter being used by the police.