The killing of 18 policemen by naxals in Gadchiroli region in Maharashtra , five days ahead of state assembly elections, has raised a question mark over security arrangements during polling in the naxal-hit region.
Poll campaign in Armori, Gadchiroli and Aheri, the three assembly constituencies in the tribal district, has been hampered due to Maoists' call for election boycott and threat to disrupt the exercise, an official said.
It is the modus operandi of naxals, operating from hideouts deep in the jungles, to carry out surprise raids on police parties, the official said.
"They strike at will and as they decide the time and venue of the attack have the obvious advantage of the surprise element," he said. The district administration has tried to create public awareness against the Maoists' diktat for poll boycott.
Naxals have pasted posters on walls and distributed pamphlets asking for boycott of "bogus" elections and create a "peoples' government". "People in the area are scared following the naxalite threat. I don't know whether I will be able cast my vote this time," says Deva Usandi of Dhanora, a hotbed of naxal activities.
Compared to the around 50 police personnel, including five lady constables, killed by naxals this year, only one Maoist has been killed during the period. Former Maharashtra minister and NCP legislator from Sironcha, Dharmarao Atram was kidnapped by naxals in 1991. He was later released.
However, the then Gadchiroli district Congress chief Balu Kopa Bogami was killed by naxals during the zilla parishad elections in 2002. Atul Patne, the Gadchiroli collector and district returning officer, said prominent candidates have been provided with armed security in view of naxal threat.
A candidate admitted he skipped many remote villages along the Chhattisgarh border during campaign in view of naxal threat. "The district administration has provided me with armed security but if any untoward incident happens, what will be the fate of my workers?" he said.
There is a proposal to hold voting in the region from 7 am to 3 pm to facilitate the electors in remote areas to have timely access to polling booths. Two helicopters have been deployed for aerial survey, transportation of poll officials besides additional police personnel for emergencies.
