The police and security forces have shown novel valour by not allowing any major untoward incident during the Assembly election in the division, which is known as the stronghold of hardcore Naxalites. The Government has also accepted that it was very difficult task to conduct election in Bastar without any interruption.
In fact, the Bastar range inspector general and Superintendents of Police of all the seven districts of the division deserve compliments for making such a unique strategy and its implementation. They have proved it that if one has the willpower to do something; there is no challenge in the world that cannot be dealt with.
It has been in practice so far that the Naxals were successful in carry through their plans moving a step further by giving slip to the police. Perhaps, it was for the first time, the Bastar police, instead of taking defensive steps, have adopted offensive attitude. By preparing its strategy in a confidential and skillful manner, the police not only have demolished the intentions of the naxalites, but did not give any chance to them to intrude into the entire assembly constituencies and spread terror. Their activities were limited to some small attacks.
In the previous elections, the Naxalites were successful in registering their presence in Bastar area by carrying through bloody attacks. According to sources, this time the police had prepared well-considered strategy to deal with naxalite violence and to counterblast them at every front. The plan was put into practice a month ahead and made it practical.
The police had spread its net by deploying it jawans and informers at every nook and corner. Barriers had been put up at every entry points of the area and strict vigilance has been made. Putting continuous pressure and through patrolling on the probable routes and locations, the police have forced the naxalites to flee from the area.
However, by holding meeting in Sukma district all the hardcore Naxalites had girded their loins to successfully boycott the election by organising large-scale violence and bloodshed. They had also gathered large quantity of weapons and explosives.