In an effort to bolster security measures and ensure the smooth conduct of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla on Friday issued a directive to intensify anti-Naxal operations in Gadchiroli district. Speaking at a high-level meeting with police officials in Gadchiroli, DGP Shukla stressed the need to dismantle the network of Naxals operating in the core jungle areas. The meeting, attended by top officials including ADG Law and Order Sanjay Saxena, ADG Special Operations Pravin Salunke, Commissioner of State Intelligence Department Shirish Jain, and IGP Gadchiroli Range Sandeep Patil; focused on assessing the preparedness for the upcoming elections. Given the challenging terrain and dense jungle areas prevalent in Gadchiroli, particular attention was paid to ensuring the security of election parties.

 

With Gadchiroli district comprising 458 sensitive booths, including 243 hypersensitive booths, DGP Shukla conducted a comprehensive review of security arrangements for each booth. Stressing the criticality of maintaining secrecy regarding the location of sensitive booths until the day of the election, she directed senior officials to prioritise armed escorts for election duty parties. The senior officials called for additional police support during the election including 45 additional companies of police force to reinforce the efforts of Gadchiroli Police.

 

Currently supported by 30 companies of CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) and 17 companies of SRPF (State Reserve Police Force), the Gadchiroli Police anticipate enhanced cooperation to ensure peaceful elections. In addition to her visit to Gadchiroli, DGP Shukla also convened a special meeting in Nagpur at Police Bhavan in evening, attended by officials from Nagpur City Police, Nagpur Rural Police, Bhandara district, Wardha district, and Chandrapur district. During this meeting, she reiterated the importance of preparedness for the elections and reviewed security arrangements in the Nagpur city and range.

 

 

DGP Shukla flew to Gadchiroli from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport via a special helicopter. Upon her return to Nagpur, her presence was marked by a convoy of around 10 special vehicles which temporarily halted traffic movement in the city during evening hours.