Kalasa: Speaking in a campaign meeting here for by-polls due on March18 on Wednesday (M. 14), CM DVS Gowda has warned naxalites found in Malnad region of counter-violence and legal punishment.

He told local people who are wary of naxal visits, that police search operations had been in tensified against naxal menace. He promised certain basic amenities to the areas affected by violent gangs.

CVm and his Home minister addressed meetings to collect votes for BJP candidate in Malnad.

There are 1630 polling stations, for the March 18 by-poll, caused by CM himself when he became  an MLC, 251 of which are regarded as hyper-sensitive, due to naxal influence internally, BJP had faced embarrassments on several occasions, CM said in a veiled attack on his mentor (ex-cm)Gowda felt his party had seen greater embarrassments than someone canvassing for BJP in by-polls.

He termed them as ‘minor hiccups’ on way to steer clear the state towards full progress.