Amid preparations for the first phase of the Chhattisgarh elections, Maoists on Sunday triggered a blast in Kanker district, killing a soldier of the Border Security Force, officials said. In Bijapur, security forces gunned down a Naxal, said officials.
Voters in 18 constituencies that includes Naxal-affected districts of Bastar, Kanker, Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Kondagaon and Rajnandgaon will cast their ballot on Monday. Nearly 1 lakh security personnel have been deployed to ensure peace during voting.
BSF Sub-Inspector Mahendra Singh was injured when Naxals blew up an improvised explosive device to target a security team between Kattakal and Gome villages, nearly 200 km from state capital Raipur, said Dipanshu Kabra, Inspector General of Police (Raipur range). Singh died of his injuries on way to the hospital.
With Maoists calling for a poll boycott, officials and voting machines were sent to booths under tight security, election authorities said. DM Awasthi, special director general, anti-Naxal operations, said nearly 650 polling booth parties were airlifted to remote pockets. "The challenge is to escort all polling parties safely to their destination in Naxal-affected areas and later to conduct polls and bring back them safely," Awasthi said.
Maoist violence in the past 15 days has left 13 people dead, including a cameraman of national broadcaster Doordarshan who was covering the election campaign. On November 8, four civilians and a Central Industrial Security Force jawan were killed by Naxals in Dantewada district.
Awasthi said forces that have arrived from other states have been advised to avoid using any road unless it has been sanitised by the "road opening parties" or subjected to a de-mining exercise to detect and clear improvised explosive devices. Security personnel have also been asked to avoid patrolling on foot as Naxals are known to place iron spikes to inflict injuries, he said. "They have also been asked to maintain extra caution and sanitise polling booths and other premises in sensitive areas."
The second phase of the elections for the 90-member Chhattisgarh assembly will be held on November 20 and the results will be declared on December 11.
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