Security tightened as Maoists threaten Jharkhand residents to boycott polls

Police have deployed additional forces in Maoist hotbeds in Jharkhand after rebels threatened residents to boycott parliamentary polls or face dire consequences.

The hotbeds of Maoists is under a tight security blanket, as the country holds its general election in nine stages between April 7 and May 12.

The Maoist threat looms large over many villages in Simdega District, as the red rebels wrote on the walls of schools and other voting centres that people must not to step out of their homes on polling day.

District Superintendent of Police Asim Vikrant Minj said that fear seems to lurk in the air with the Maoists still threatening people to boycott elections.

"Maoists have been working against the democratic process, the elections. There have been many instances in the past where they have threatened people to boycott polls," Minj said.

Police also assured that adequate steps are being taken to foil any attempts by the rebels.

"It is very necessary to deploy forces in the Maoists hit areas so that the level of confidence in the people increases and they participate in the elections freely. We remove the posters pasted by the rebels from the walls with the help of police," Minj added.