Karnataka issues shoot orders in Naxal areas

Mangalore: Police today issued shoot-at-sight orders in the Naxal infested areas of Karnataka if the radicals made attempts to disrupt the poll process during the second phase of assembly polls on May 16.

The warning comes in the wake of a call by Naxal groups asking people to boycott the elections.

"Police and security personnel on duty have been given orders to open fire, if necessary, in the event of naxals trying to create problems during the poll process," ADGP Shankar Bidari told a press conference here.

A 16,000-strong para military force would be deployed to provide security in the naxal affected districts of Udupi, Shimoga and Chikmagalur, he said.


"Strict orders have been issued to the Deputy Commissioners to take stringent action against those trying to disturb the poll process," he said.

Bidari said he has assessed the situation in naxal infested areas in Karkala, Hebri, Masti Katte, Agumbe and Sringeri.