Vigil up in Kandhamal for polls today

Berhampur: Security has been tightened in Kandhamal district ahead of the third phase of panchayat election on Sunday in view of the call for poll boycott by Maoists and the recent killing of two persons allegedly by the rebels. Elections to 49 panchayats in three blocks, including Phiringia, Phulbani and Khajuripada, will be held in the third phase.
Security has been tightened in Red-hit areas like Raikia and Khajuripada blocks, while anti-Maoist operations are going on, said a senior police officer.The district administration has also relocated several hypersensitive polling booths to safer places in view of the Maoist threat, sources said.
Meanwhile, inspector general of police (southern range) Satyabrata Bhoi along with SP (Berhampur) Pinak Mishra visited sensitive villages like Jayantipur, Khamarigaon, Kesaripada, Baranga, Gopalpali under Patrapur block in Ganjam district on the eve of the elections. The senior police officers interacted with the villagers and asked them to cast their votes without any fear. Round the clock patrolling will be conducted in the area for Sunday’s polling, police said.
Apart from putting up banners and leaflets urging people to boycott the rural polls, the Red rebels allegedly killed two persons in Kandhamal recently. While a 20-year-old cowherd was killed in an IED explosion allegedly triggered by Maoists at Kiamunda under Phiringia police station limits on February 9, a 32-year-old man was allegedly killed by the rebels on the suspicion of being a police informer at remote Rugum under Belaghar police station limits on February 14.
As a precautionary measure, the district administration has shifted all 11 booths of Sumerubandh panchayat to Sadingia panchayat, about 12 km away. Leaders of different political parties have expressed doubts whether the people of Sumerubandh will be able to walk such a long distance to cast their votes. “There was no other option. Security of the people is our priority along with free and fair elections,” said an official.
“For the convenience and security of the voters, the district administration has shifted as many as 103 hypersensitive booths located in the left-wing extremist (LWE) areas to comparatively safer places,” said Rati Kant Acharya, district panchayat officer.