MANGALURU: In the past, election time meant suspected Naxalites distributing pamphlets in the remote areas of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi-Chikkamagaluru parliamentary constituencies, requesting locals to boycott the election. Though their sightings have reduced in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts in the recent years, police are leaving no stone unturned to ensure peaceful polls.Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district police have already taken up confidence-building measures ahead of the general elections. Of the 1,111 polling booths in Udupi district, 255 have been identified as hypersensitive. Of these 255 hypersensitive polling booths, 55 are Naxal-affected Udupi superintendent of police Nisha James told TOI that it has been almost three years since Naxalite sighting was recorded in the district. “There has been no active movement in the district. However, in view of the incidents in Kerala, we have intensified our efforts and as part of the general election preparedness, combing in Naxal areas has been undertaken. The Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) and district police have jointly conducted several combing operations. This is an ongoing exercise. A vigil is being maintained at the checkposts including forest areas,” she said.Police and ANF have also taken up confidence-building measures. “Meetings are being conducted regularly in affected villages to encourage people to take advantage of the opportunities provided by democratic representation and facilities given by government,” she said.Meanwhile, Dakshina Kannada SP B M Laxmi Prasad said the total number of Naxal-affected polling booths is 64 in Belthangady and Sullia assembly constituencies. These areas have also been identified as vulnerable.“Officers, including the SP, are holding meetings as part of confidence-building measures among people. Wherever necessary, route marches are being conducted and ANF teams are operating in their respective areas, wherever necessary,” he said.Sources maintained that the Naxal activity is very limited in the area. “Only one group of people are active and they keep shifting from one place to another. It is not like how it used to be before 2012,” an official said.

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