BERHAMPUR: To stop entry of miscreants from adjoining Andhra Pradesh during the first phase polling for the panchyat elections on Tuesday, security has been tightened on Andhra-Orissa border.

In Ganjam district the police mounted extra vigil in Chikiti and Patrapur blocks, which are quite volatile. Berhampur Superintendent of Police Dayal Gangwar would himself monitor the security arrangements in these two blocks on Tuesday. The inter-state border would be sealed from Monday night.

It is not fear of naxals in this area but the fear of hired goons from adjoining Andhra Pradesh. Both Congress and BJD candidates of Patrapur area have alleged that some hired goons may enter the State through the remote Laida village to capture booths in the name of naxals. An armed camp has been placed at Laida. The vehicles entering these two blocks from Andhra would be blocked for thorough checking at six points.

Nineteen platoons of armed forces, 15 mobile patrols, and 11 striking troupes would be active in these two blocks during the polling process, Mr Gangwar said.

These police men would be monitored by one sub-divisional police officer camping at Patrapur.

Mr Gangwar said since Monday flag march by armed police patrols had been on in sensitive areas of Chikiti and Patrapur blocks to create fear in the minds of miscreants planning mischief during the polling process.

Combing

But the poll boycott call by naxals looms on the firstss phase polling in areas adjoining Andhra in Rayagada district. Naxal-prone Muniguda and Chandrapur blocks of Gunupur sub-division bordering Andhra Pradesh are going to polls on Tuesday. The inter-state border of Gunupur sub-division is already sealed and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel are continuing combing operation in the remote areas.

In Gajapati district polling would be held in naxal-infested Nuagada block and zone 10 of Mohana block. The Nuagada block borders the naxal-prone areas of Rayagada district. After attacking R.Udaygiri town in Gajapati district last year naxals had taken the route through the Nuagada block to escape to Rayagada district. The police increased security on the inter-district border between Gajapati and Rayagada districts at Nuagada block to check movements of naxals during polling process.

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