Even as the Home Ministry on Monday issued an advisory to all Maoist-hit States, including Odisha, to review the security of political leaders, the State Police has asked the Naxal-affected districts to take extra precaution in wake of the audacious attack that claimed 27 lives in Chhattisgarh two days ago.
Director General of Police (DGP) Prakash Mishra said bordering districts, mainly Malkangiri and Koraput, have been asked to remain on high alert since the Maoists may attempt to sneak into vulnerable pockets anticipating flush-out by the security forces in the neighbouring State.
“Police are closely monitoring the situation after Maoist attack in Sukuma. We have also kept a watch on the movement of the rebels,” Mishra told this paper.
Sources said the State Police also issued an advisory and directed the Maoist affected districts to make a fresh review of the security measures in place for the political leaders and upgrade the arrangements wherever necessary. The State already has a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the political leaders from the Maoist-hit districts.
“We will be in a better position to effect any modification in the existing security measures for the political persons only after investigation starts into the Chhattisgarh incident and details come to fore about what went wrong,” a senior police officer said. The Home Ministry advisory, sources added, directed that a nodal officer should be appointed in the State for assessing the threat perception of political leaders and VVIPs. The nodal officer would advise any revamp in the security arrangements, if necessary.
Besides, it also suggested that there should not be any let-up in the security of political leaders during their travel to vulnerable regions. The states must ensure that activities of political parties should not be hampered by Maoist threat, the Central advisory added.
Home Secretary Upendra Nath Behera told mediapersons that people’s representatives would be asked to strictly adhere to the SOP while visiting the Maoist-hit areas. Meanwhile, the State Police has re-strategised mobilisation of the security forces in Malkangiri and Koraput districts.