Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Oct 25: In view of the Prime Minister's visit to the district on October 29, Anti Naxal Force, which has been requested by the district superintendent of police, Sudheer Kumar Reddy, has made urgent preparations for undertaking combing operation in western ghat region. The force plans to concentrate on Beltangady and Karkala areas where naxal activity was considerable in the past, with the help of four to six 12 member contingents. For this purpose, in view of shortage of time, additional personnel would be indented from the headquarters of the force at Karkala. The combing operations are likely to begin on Wednesday.
After being alerted by the superintendent of police (SP) on Tuesday, officials at all the police stations in the district have been kept on high alert. Bomb disposal squad has already undertaken a thorough inspection at helipad, Ujire, Dharmasthala, and surrounding areas. The team has been asked to keep its personnel in readiness at all the spots where the inspection was undertaken. Sudheer Kumar Reddy and inspector general of police, Hemant Nmbalkar, have already visited Dharmasthala.
About 2,500 police personnel, and over 150 officer level staff are being deployed at Ujire, where lacs of people are expected to congregate on Sunday. The SP said that if necessary, staff would be indented from other neighbouring ranges to maintain law and order.
Additional director general of police, Alok Mohan, visited Dharmasthala on Wednesday to hold meeting with senior officers and guide them about preparations needed from the point of view of security.
Sudheer Kumar Reddy said that in view of shortage of time, officials have been given proper instructions. Members of Special Protection Group of the Prime Minister will be arriving at the district on Wednesday and hold meeting with top officers. Sources in the office of the SP stated that a 'Garuda' team will also be arriving here to take care of additional security requirements.