Odisha Maoists oppose polls, call for shutdown

Last week, police seized several anti-election posters allegedly put up by the rebels in Rayagada district. Maoists are active in more than half of the state and the area where they have called a shutdown is considered their stronghold.

Odisha has asked the central government to provide three choppers and additional security forces for conducting free and fair polls in the Maoist-affected areas.

Polling for 21 Lok Sabha seats from Odisha and the 147-member state assembly would be simultaneously held April 10 and 17.