Maoists put up anti-poll posters

KORAPUT (ODISHA): Fresh anti-poll posters by Maoists have surfaced in Koraput district of Odisha, leaving local leaders worried over the conduct of peaceful Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the Naxal-hit region.

Many posters were found in interior Majhiguda and Dasmantpur panchayats of Boipariguda block, about 50 km from the Koraput district headquarters town, on Friday.

Sources said the rebels, through the posters, have asked the locals not to exercise their franchise on April 10 and accused all political parties of being anti-poor. The posters also asked the people not to let politicians enter villages for campaigning.

"Neglecting development of tribals, the government has launched operation Green Hunt. In the name of Maoists, security forces are harassing innocent tribals. There is no alternative to violent revolution to get our legitimate rights," reads a poster spotted near Dasmantpur on Friday.

Police said they have recovered few posters and suspect it to be the handiwork of the local Maoist supports.

"Security has been tightened to avoid any untoward incident. Police are on high alert and intensive combing operations by security personnel are on in border areas to prevent possible influx of rebels from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh," said SP (Koraput) Awinash Kumar.

Few weeks back the Maoists through posters had called for poll boycott in Malkangiri district.

The developments have triggered panic among political parties as the posters have emerged close on the heels of the surrender of woman rebel leader Deva Padiami alias Sandhya who was carrying a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh and was leading the Boipariguda area committee and Gupteswar local organisational squad, police sources said.

"The Maoist threat may spoil our election campaigns in the interior villages...it's risky to take a chance," said a political leader of a regional party in Boipariguda.

Police said elaborate security arrangements will be taken and additional forces be deployed at sensitive areas to contain Maoist menace during poll process.