Bhubaneswar: With the Nuapada by-election scheduled for November 11, the Odisha police have stepped up security in the district amid concerns over Naxal activity.
Additional Director General of Police (L&O) Sanjay Kumar said that 14 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed in the district to ensure a smooth and peaceful polling process.
“The Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, ADGP, and I have reviewed the situation on the ground. Nuapada SP Amritpal Singh has been instructed to maintain strict law and order during the bypoll,” he said.
Highlighting security challenges, Kumar noted that Nuapada shares a border with Chhattisgarh, where encounters with Naxals earlier this year resulted in casualties.
“Intelligence reports indicate that Naxal activity still persists in the region. We are taking all necessary measures to ensure a free and fair election,” he added.
Himansu Kumar Lal, Inspector General (of) Northern Range, Sambalpur, has been assigned to oversee security operations in Nuapada. Overall supervision has been entrusted to ADG-rank officer Rajesh Kumar of SAP Odisha, Bhubaneswar, as the local DIG is on leave.
At least five police platoons, along with over 500 constables and home guards, have been deployed in the district. Fourteen check posts have been established in and around Nuapada, with additional posts in neighbouring districts of Kalahandi, Balangir, and Bargarh. Chhattisgarh police have also set up a check post along the border to monitor vehicular movement to and from Nuapada.
Nuapada SP Amritpal Singh said that 18 flying squads have been formed to conduct surprise checks to prevent illegal transport of cash, liquor, and other contraband ahead of the bypoll.
“The district administration and police are fully prepared to ensure a peaceful election. Our focus remains on safeguarding voters and maintaining law and order in the constituency,” Kumar added.
