Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Apr 28: The deputy commissioners of both Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts, who happen to be the District Election Officers, have said that all steps to ensure free and fair poll have been taken in the naxal-infested areas. Security has been beefed up particularly in view of the poll boycott call given by the naxals in the twin-districts, and the forces deployed to these places have been conducting marches to instill confidence among the people.

In the meanwhile, some villagers living at the foot of the Western Ghats say that the policemen have been arresting villagers on the suspicion that they are naxal sympathizers. It is learnt, the policemen who disguise themselves as naxals, approach the villagers and place demands just like the naxals. If the families meet their demand out of fear, they arrest them, accusing them of being sympathetic towards the naxals. "We are sandwiched between the naxals and the policemen," the villagers explain.

The police forces said, para-military forces have been deployed at the foot of the Western Ghats to provide tight security during the polling. As most of the naxal-prone areas like Amasebail, Jaddinagadde, Tombattu, Devarabalu, Shankarnarayan and parts of Karkala and Beltangady taluk have been categorized as hyper sensitive, the security men have been provided with modern weaponry.  In addition, home guards have also been deployed. The Anti-naxal Force has been conducting operations with the support of local police stations.  Mobile police units have also been pressed into service.

Senior police officials along with the deputy superintendent of police Shashidhar, held consultations on Monday to review security arrangements at these places.