Raipur: Amid inputs of senior Maoist leaders frequently visiting Bastar region from adjoining states to chalk out action strategies ahead of this month`s polls, security forces are keeping a close eye on inter-state borders to check the movement of the rebels.
According to Intelligence Bureau sources, top Maoist leaders like central committee member Kadri Satyanarayana alias Kosa, Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee secretary Ramanna and many middle-order leaders are being noticed more frequently, conducting meetings in the region.
Besides, a large number of cadres are also being mobilised from Naxal-affected zones of neighbouring states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to strengthen their capabilities ahead of polls, the sources said.
"We are aware of every situation and even local police have been informed and every movement is under close vigil of police," Director General of Police Ramniwas told PTI when asked about the frequent visits of Maoist leaders.
Local security forces are in close coordination with police of adjoining states to keep an effective check on cross border movement of Naxals, supply of liquor and movement of other criminal elements, the DGP said.
The security personnel are fully prepared to conduct polls in the region in a peaceful manner, he assured.
The IB sources also suspect that the rebels killed in recent Naxal encounters-- in Etapalli of Maharashtra on October 29 and in Chhattigsarh`s Sukma yesterday -- on the interstate borders were allegedly part of Naxal team formed to create nuisance in the border areas during polls in south Chhattisgarh.
Two alleged Naxal cadres were gunned down in Etapalli sub-division in south Gadchiroli on Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh state border in the wee hours of Monday.
In Sukma, two ultras were yesterday killed by security forces in the forests of Maraigudi police station area on Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh Border.
Eighteen Naxal-affected constituencies of eight districts - Bastar, Bijapur, Kondagaon, Sukma, Narayanpur, Dantewada, Kanker and Rajnandgaon - will go to polls in the first phase on November 11.
Naxal cadres have been visiting many villages in their stronghold Bastar district for past one month, putting up posters and asking people not to cast votes in the elections.
They have also given a bandh call in the region from November 7 to 12 in support of their call to boycott the first phase of polls scheduled on November 11.
Taking a serious note of the Maoists threat, the Centre has sent additional 40,000 personnel of paramilitary forces to ensure peaceful polling.
Around 65,000 police personnel and 27,000 paramilitary troopers were already engaged in anti-Naxal operations in the state.
