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Aerial patrol to keep MP Naxalites in check

The Madhya Pradesh government has formulated a strategy to counter the possibility of Naxalites disturbing the state assembly election on November 25.

Chief Secretary K S Sharma and Director General of Police V P Singh told reporters in Raipur after reviewing the poll arrangements in Chhattisgarh region that the special steps to counter the Naxalites include aerial survey and combing of interior areas for land mines.

The co-operation of the police forces in neighbouring Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh has also been sought.

Sharma said the home ministry had agreed to provide a helicopter for the aerial survey. The Centre will send security forces for deployment during the election.

He pointed out that despite the Naxalites calling for a boycott of the previous Lok Sabha election, average polling was recorded in the districts where they are active.

This time, as an additional precaution, the state's borders with Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, where the People's War Group operates, will be sealed, he said.

UNI

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