Movement of action teams of Maoists were being watched by the police in Visakhapatnam rural areas in the backdrop of 13 districts of the State going to polls on Wednesday, DGP B. Prasada Rao said on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference, he said a close watch was being maintained on Maoists as the latter had called upon people to boycott polls. Armed police forces were deployed to scuttle attempts by Maoists to disrupt the elections in Maoist-affected Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam. Four Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters – two each at Rajahmandry and Visakhapatnam – were kept ready for emergencies. Nearly 1.2 lakh policemen, including Home Guards from the neighbouring States of Karnataka and Odisha, would be deployed in 13 districts.
Mr. Rao said 284 companies of paramilitary forces and 69 companies of APSP were drawn for peaceful conduct of the polls. A special police team would continuously move in one route covering three polling station locations. So far, the police have seized Rs. 131.19 crore during vehicle checking in the State and Rs. 48.50 crore was returned to those who presented documents confirming the source of the money, Mr. Rao said. EC and observers were keeping tabs on provocative speeches made during the election, he replied to a question. A criminal case was registered against Gowtham Reddy, brother of Congress nominee from Huzurnagar Assembly constituency, following seizure of cash. The vehicle belonged to Gowtham Reddy, chief executive officer of Photon Energy, who claimed the cash was part of the company money, the DGP said.
