Patrolling intensified in maoist-hit pockets
DHENKANAL: Police patrolling has been intensified in 26 Maoist-affected pockets of the tribal dominated Kankadahada and Parjang blocks ahead of the three-tier panchayat election.
At least 434 polling booths have been identified as sensitive zones by the police administration and steps are being taken to keep a vigil in the areas. There are 2,881 booths under 212 gram panchayats of eight blocks in the district.
Police are keeping a strict vigil and taking extra measures to ensure smooth conduct of the election amid possibility of Maoists entering the pockets.
In Kankadahada and Parjang blocks, the BJP and the BJD leaders have intensified their campaigns. The two blocks will witness a fight between Parjang MLA, District BJD president and District Planning Committee Chairman Nrushing Sahoo and district BJP president Bibhutibhusan Pradhan, brother of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Both Pradhan and Sahoo have intensified campaigns in the blocks.