Naxals open fire in Gadchiroli district: police

Naxalites opened fire near Kasansur in Aheri block of Gadchiroli district shortly before polling commenced on Tuesday.

Naxalites opened fire near Kasansur in Aheri block of Gadchiroli district shortly before polling commenced on Tuesday.

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However, security forces did not return the fire as part of a strategy since naxalites were not visible, police said.

Over 1.29 lakh state police and central paramilitary forces (CPMF) have been deployed across the state to ensure fair and peaceful poll.

CPMF contingents have been deployed in naxal-hit Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts of Vidarbha to thwart any attempt by the Maoists to disrupt the election process.

On October eight, 17 policemen were killed in an ambush by the naxals in Gadchiroli district.