Ranchi, Oct 22 (IANS) Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram Thursday reviewed the anti-Maoist operations in Jharkhand and said the Election Commission would announce the dates for assembly polls in the state in a few days.
“The President’s Rule has to come to an end and election will take place in the state. The Election Commission will announce the dates in a few days,” Chidambaram told reporters here.
“Elections will take place peacefully in the state and the Maoist problem will not come in the way,” he said.
“We do not know how the CPI-Maoist (Communist Party of India-Maoist) will take the elections here but in Maharashtra, people voted despite a boycott,” said Chidamabram.
The home minister also reviewed the development work in Ranchi and also visited Hazaribagh district.
According to official sources, senior police officials and top officials of Border Security Force, the Central Reserve Police Force present in meeting with the home minister.
State police officials gave a presentation of the proposed operation against the leftist ultras to Chidambaram.
“It is the state police’s duty to maintain law and order and paramilitary forces assist the state. We do not use words like launching, or offensive, it is media who has created such words,” Chidambaram said.
According to police sources, around 13,000 BSF and CRPF forces equipped with the advanced weapons have arrived Jharkhand in past two days.
Seven companies of the CRPF arrived at Chkradharpur of West Singhbhum district Wednesday morning. The paramilitary forces are equipped with night vision lenses so that the operation can continue even at night.
The minister also praised the development work undertaken by Governor K. Shankarnarayan.
“I congratulate the governor for the work undertaken by him. The President’s Rule cannot continue for a long period of time but it has given clear indication that if there is firm hand and clear direction then work could be delivered,” Chidambaram said.