Odisha Police to procure advanced drones for anti-naxal ops

A massive blueprint has been prepared by the Odisha Police for security and anti-naxal operations during the upcoming 2024 elections. The strategy was finalised at a high-level meeting held at Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. Senior police officials said that precautionary strategies have been made as usually Maoists call to boycott elections.

The rebels also target security personnel and election parties during movements in the naxal-infested areas. Odisha Intelligence Director, Sanjeev Panda said a joint operation with Chhattisgarh is continuing and such operations will be intensified. According to Panda, there has been a considerable improvement in the overall left-wing extremism situation in Odisha.

Naxal movement is almost zero in Koraput and Malkangiri while there is some activity in the bordering areas of Kandhamal, Boudh, and Kalahandi.

“Our focus is to combat such naxal movement and a special strategy has been drawn up ahead of the 2024 elections, We have decided to set up 11 more camps in forward areas so that elections are conducted smoothly,” said Panda.

Panda further informed that Odisha Police will soon purchase six advanced drones which will be used in anti-naxal operations. The technical evaluation process for the same has been completed, he said.