Bhubaneswar, April 22: Ahead of the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha and the persistent Maoist threat in the region, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh police have initiated joint security surveillance along the border of the two states.

Reports indicate that joint security surveillance efforts have commenced in the border regions of Ganjam and Gajapati districts, as directed by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Odisha DGP Arun Kumar Sarangi visited the area on Sunday and engaged in extensive discussions with the police superintendents (SPs) of Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Boudh, and Berhampur regarding election preparedness in their respective jurisdictions.

DGP Sarangi stated that joint patrolling along the inter-state border has been coordinated following discussions with the SPs of the border districts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Particularly, attention is focused on Kandhamal and Boudh due to Maoist activity in these areas.

"We have devised a strategy to deploy additional forces for the forthcoming elections scheduled on May 13 and 20. Adequate security personnel will be deployed to ensure smooth elections in these districts," Sarangi informed the media.

Simultaneously, combing operations are ongoing in vulnerable areas, and a special drive has been launched to combat marijuana smuggling and cultivation in the region.

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