Maoist threat in Orissa-Jharkhand-Chhatisgarh border areas adjoining Orissa's Sundargarh district has triggered fear about possible violence among the voters.
With general elections days away, Maoist threat in Orissa-Jharkhand-Chhatisgarh border areas adjoining Orissa's Sundargarh district has triggered fear about possible violence among the voters.
The recent incidents of attack on Bhalulata and Chandiposh railway stations and the killing of two persons -- one at Rengada and another at Langalkata villages of Koida block in Sundergarh district last month-- has forced voters to do a rethink on their voting plans unless the administration comes out with a concrete plan in regard to their safety.
Besides, the ultras have been moving in groups in the villages bordering these three states and have been threatening the voters, mostly tribals, against voting.
Though the district administration claims that elaborate security measures have been taken up, the voters have "lost faith" due to frequent Maoists attacks.
The candidates of all the political parties, including Independents are yet to launch their campaign in border hamlets.
Out of seven blocks bordering Jharkhand, six have been marked as Maoist-prone areas. The ultras have been virtually ruling the areas where even cops are reluctant to venture during day time.
The areas of Raibaga, Biramitrapur, Hatibari, Nuagaon and Bisra under Biramitrapur (ST) assembly segments are known as red corridor of Jharkhand-based ultras groups "Jharkhand Badsha" and "Jharkhand Liberation Tiger".
The ultras have also given threats to the voters of Lathikata block and Maoist-prone areas of Sundargarh sadar, Bonai, Talsara and Rajgangpur assembly seats of the district.
Over 566 of the 1454 polling booths, located in Maoist-infested areas, have been declared as hyper-sensitive and necessary measures are underway to ensure smooth and peaceful elections on April 16, officials sources said.
However, they have admitted that large number of rural voters, specially in border villages, are still unsure about their voting as none of the candidates has visited them.
A visit to some of the areas under Bisra police station by this correspondent failed to notice any political activity in the Maoist-prone villages of Jharbeda- Jareikela and Kaliaposh.
"Who will risk killing by ultras"?, said an elderly resident of Jharbeda village when asked about the absence of poll activities. Not even a single poster or banner representing a political party can be seen in the village.
"I have asked my workers to take utmost care while campaigning in the Maoist-threatened areas. Let us wait and see", a candidate of a national party, who did not wish to be named, said.
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