Maoist-hit Orissa districts seek tight security for LS polls

Collectors of Maoist affected districts in Orissa have sought fool-proof security during the coming Lok Sabha polls similar to the one that ensured violence-free assembly polls in neighbouring Chhatisgarh.

Collectors of Maoist affected districts in Orissa have sought fool-proof security during the coming Lok Sabha polls similar to the one that ensured violence-free assembly polls in neighbouring Chhatisgarh.

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"I have asked the collectors to submit their requirements report to the CEO office by February 15," Orissa Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Alaka Panda told PTI after a meeting of collectors in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.

Saying that collectors have been asked to take measures to ensure free and fair elections with "zero casualty", Panda said of the 30 districts of Orissa, as many as 17 districts have been identified as Maoist affected.

Referring to Kandhamal which witnessed riots in August last year, Panda said district authorities have sought permission to issue voter identity cards as many in the area lost them during the riots.

"A large number of photo I-cards were gutted along with houses," Kandhamal collector Kishan Kumar said after the meeting.

The district administration would start issuing fresh photo I-cards to the people from the second or third week of February, Kumar said.

Saying that around 3,000 CRPF personnel would need to be deployed during the coming elections, he said those currently deployed in the district should be allowed to continue till the end of the elections.