AP cops prepare action plan to counter Naxalites

It also announced that former militants who assisted the State administration in elections would be targeted and advised them to stay away from poll duties.

The administration had utilised the services of former militants in the past for transporting election material like ballot papers and ballot boxes to the interiors. They were also given the responsibility of returning the same to the nearest quot;safer areasquot; on foot.

The former militants8217; other important task was to bring voters to the polling booths to ensure that they would cast their votes.

With the PWG warning, the former militants are in a dilemma. If they cooperate with the State, they have to face Naxalites8217; wrath and if they do not, they will have to face the ire of the police.

Besides the PWG, the Janasakthi faction of the Communist Party of India Marxist-Leninist also gave the poll boycott call for the first time. The group enjoys considerable support in some parts of North Telangana.

To counter the Naxalites8217; poll boycott call, police officials in the affected districts have been directed to organise meetings in villages and enlighten the people on the importance of exercising their franchise.

Cultural troupes will also tour the villages to quot;expose the true coloursquot; of Naxalites and educate the people on the need to participate in the democratic process of elections.

Besides the 85,000-strong police force, Home Guards and about 70 companies of paramilitary forces will be on election duty.

According to police sources, the available force will be distributed throughout the State depending on the situation. Despite the non-availability of the required strength, the department has decided to intensify combing operations with the assistance of its special intelligence network.

Stating that the influence of Naxalites had weakened considerably over the last three years, Director General of Police H J Dora said the Naxalites, quot;will not be able to enforce their boycott call.quot;

quot;Our strategy to weaken the organisation through encounters and encouraging surrenders yielded good results over the last two years,quot; a senior police official said.

quot;The Naxalite outfit had failed to implement its boycott call in the previous elections too. They will not succeed this time too. If they try to bulldoze their way, police will teach them a lesson,quot; said another senior official.

According to sources, besides the candidates, all those who assist the administration in the conduct of elections will be provided with security cover. quot;Any attempt by the Naxalites to harm them will be repulsed,quot; he said.

The group has almost been neutralised in Medak district and suffered severe blows in Warangal, Nizamabad and Karimnagar districts. quot;If we can eliminate some more squads in these districts, the PWG will be on the run,quot; police sources claimed.

Meanwhile, the PWG8217;s bi-monthly magazine, while advocating the poll boycott, explained at length how political parties had duped the people. The magazine discussed the downfall of the BJP-led coalition government, failure of Congress to form a government, the policies of the Telugu Desam Party and other smaller political parties. The PWG was also critical of the Anna TDP and accused it of trying to grab power.

Anna-TDP president N Harikrishna, like his late father N T Rama Rao, has described Naxalites as patriots.