No Change in Election Schedule in Naxal-Infested Areas in Maharashtra
Following killing of 17 policemen in an encounter with Maoist in Gadchiroli district, there will be no change in election schedule in Naxal-affected areas in the state, said Maharashtra home minister Jayant Patil.
“There will be no rescheduling of the polls in Naxal-hit areas,” Patil, who earlier in the day visited Gadchiroli to pay homage to the slain policemen, said.
He said that for conducting peaceful polls on October 13 in naxal-infested areas, 35 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed for assisting the local police.
Dismissing charges of ‘deliberate delay’ in reaching reinforcements to the scene of encounter at Laheri, Patil said that obstacles were put in the way by Naxalites who placed felled trees and logs to block the movement of rescue teams.
The minister also said the state government would pay compensation to the family of the slain policemen as per the new policy post 26/11. Though he did not quantify the compensation, the legal heirs of security personnel martyred in the 26/11 terror strike were given Rs25 lakh besides petrol pumps or LPG dealerships.
