UAV to track Maoists in forests: Dinesh Reddy

VISAKHAPATNAM: Maoist activities in the state have been under control for the past few months, said directorgeneral of police V Dinesh Reddy on Thursday, on his first visit to the port city.Talking to newsmen on Thursday, Dinesh Reddy said police will induct an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to be used in Maoiststronghold areas in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam districts particularly near the AndhraOdisha Border to track down left wing extremists."The UAV would help track Maoists in forest areas. The UAV images would reach base stations and antiMaoist forces could be mobilised in a helicopter to capture red rebels in the AOB areas. The UAV will have its base station at Madurapudi in Rajahmundry," said the DGP.Dinesh Reddy also said to improve transport for antiMaoist forces, a 17seater chopper will fly from Bheemili road on city outskirts from December third week, to the soontobe completed helipad at Bakkanapalam. The cost of the UAV and helicopter operations will be borne by the Union home ministry, he added.To track down left wing extremists, two more companies of either Andhra Pradesh Special Police or central paramilitary forces will be sanctioned in addition to the existing fourteen companies in the district. Speaking on Maoist presence in AOB areas, Reddy said tracking the extremists has been difficult due to the tough terrain and lack of proper support from the neighbouring state.A police outpost at Simhachalam and a police station airport are under consideration and a circle police station at Nakkapalle area in the works due to rapid industrialisation in the area, according to the DGP.Two more police subdivisions will also be set up, one in Vizianagaram district and another in Srikakulam district, Reddy added.Reddy said the zonal DCP system used in Hyderabad would be replicated in Vizag with four deputy commissioners of police including two zonal DCPs looking after crime, law and order and traffic. Eight additional commissioners will support the four DCPs. Reddy also said they are planning to introduce a new system where an Assembly constituency will be under a subdivisional police officer.