At least five improvised explosive devices (IEDs), supposed to be planted by Maoists, were recovered at a crowded weekly market by security forces in insurgency-hit Bijapur district under violence-hit Bastar region, police said on Monday.
Acting on a tip off, five IEDs — two of 5 kg each and three of 3 kg each — were found planted at a weekly market of tribal stronghold Usoor village late on Sunday evening.
Security personnel have undertaken de-mining exercise in several areas of Bastar after receiving a tip-off that Maoists had planted landmines near polling booths and key interior areas roads in the region ahead of elections.
Following the inputs, the joint contingent of CRPF, CAF and district police force rushed to the spot on Sunday evening and defused the bombs.
The IEDs were cleverly hidden under the soil at the weekly market and if activated, it could have caused a major tragedy, the official said. Apart from IEDs, wire, five detonators and explosives were also recovered from the spot, he said. The State goes to polls in two phases- Nov 11 and Nov 19 to elect a new 90-member State legislative assembly.
Polling for Maoist dominated Bastar region which has 12 seats besides Rajnandgaon district which has six seats, will be held in the first phase.
These 18 constituencies are spread out in eight districts- Bastar, Bijapur, Kondagaon, Sukma, Narayanpur, Dantewada, Kanker and Rajnandgaon.
Considering the high security threat perception to civilians and forces in Bastar region and Rajnandgaon district during polling, the Central Government has sent additional 400 companies (40,000 personnel) of paramilitary forces to ensure peaceful polling. Around 65,000 police personnel and 27,000 paramilitary troopers have already engaged in anti-Naxal operations in the Chhattisgarh which has witnessed a string of deadly attacks by Maoists in recent years included killings of Chhattisgarh Congress leaders in May this year.