Chopper for transportation of polling parties

MALKANGIRI: Security has been beefed up in the area for polling in the Maoist-infested Gompakonda, Telrai, Badigeta, Poplur, Kurmanur, Bhejangwada and Chintalbeda gram panchayats under Kalimela block, on Friday. All the 83 booths in the block are either hyper-sensitive or sensitive and the district administration is keeping a tight vigil over the situation in the wake of the poll boycott call by the Maoists.One helicopter would be pressed into service to facilitate transportation of the polling parties to the booths situated in remote and inaccessible pockets, election office sources here said.Though, the district administration had written to the State Election Commission for two helicopters, the Home Department reportedly agreed for one during polling on Friday and Sunday, sources said.Meanwhile, the villagers of Poplur and Kurmanur panchayats under Kalimela block have informed the Collector and the Kalimela BDO about their decision to stay away from the election protesting lack of basic amenities in their panchayats.