Bhubaneswar: With over 50 of the 70 Assembly seats going to polls tomorrow in Maoist-hit areas of Odisha, the Election Commission has stepped up security measures with 156 companies of central paramilitary forces and around 27,000 policemen besides three helicopters.
Altogether 21 Assembly segments have been identified as highly affected by Left Wing extremism, while 15 are moderately affected and 20 less affected.
Another 22 Assembly seats have been identified as communally sensitive where extra vigil is needed to be maintained during the elections.
"Three helicopters have been pressed into election duty," Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Odisha, Mona Sharma told reporters here yesterday.
Inspector General, South Western Range, Y K Jethwa, who overseas security arrangement in Maoist-hit Koraput and Malkangiri districts, said, "We have been taking all measures to deal with the situation if any."