In the challenging terrain of Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, where conducting elections poses significant hurdles due to Maoist activity, the local administration is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring stringent security measures. Security has been bolstered with the deployment of forces in the Naxal-affected regions to facilitate safe and tranquil elections.
Intense preparations are underway to facilitate a seamless electoral process in Gadchiroli, slated for the initial phase on April 19. Inspector Kalpesh Kharode, overseeing the C60 commandos, shed light on the security protocols. “We have been diligently preparing for three months now. Extensive search operations in the jungle are ongoing, alongside the deployment of the C60 commando unit. Furthermore, drones are being utilized; our advanced drones possess a range of up to 15 kilometers. Should Maoists be present in the forest, we can readily identify their whereabouts with the aid of drones,” stated Kharode, as reported by news agency ANI.
The transportation of polling personnel poses significant challenges in the region. Direct transportation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) via helicopters from the polling booths to secure locations could mitigate the risk of potential ambushes. In addition to rigorous training, emphasis is placed on thorough searches to prevent Naxal gatherings in the vicinity.
Recently, the Gadchiroli police apprehended two female Maoists and a Jan Militia member, each carrying a reward of Rs 5.50 lakh. “The Gadchiroli Police successfully apprehended two active female Maoists implicated in numerous violent encounters with security forces, alongside a Jan Militia member involved in the assassination of a Police Patil in Titola Village in November 2023. The arrests were made on April 7, 2024,” confirmed police sources.
Maharashtra’s Lok Sabha elections will be conducted in five phases, spanning April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20, with vote counting scheduled for June 4. With 48 Lok Sabha seats, Maharashtra stands as the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament, trailing only Uttar Pradesh.
Renowned for its political diversity and significant electoral sway, Maharashtra plays a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s political landscape. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the dominant party with 23 seats, closely followed by the Shiv Sena with 18 seats.