Banke Bazaar is a crowded market where one can go to buy vegetables to readymade clothes to smart phones and lED TVs. But the areas beyond this bazaar go deserted after sunset. They say Naxalism is a history but the fear of the Red extremists is still palpable in Imamganj. In each election, the Maoists directly or indirectly play their part either by issuing chilling threats of cutting limbs of those daring to vote or warning the candidates to keep off the so-called liberated zones.
Imamganj is a Naxal-infested constituency where polling timing has been reduced to 8 hours from 7 am to 3 pm on next Friday for the safety of voters as well as the polling parties.
However, during the past nearly two decade no major Naxal violence particularly during election occurred, no chopping of limbs and no murder of candidate. Over the time, the Maoists seemingly changed their strategy and became politically active by extending support to certain candidates. This proved more effective and acceptable and also paid dividends to the extremists whose original philosophy outright reject electoral democracy. In Imamganj as well as other Naxal-hit constituencies candidates before contesting polls approach the Maoists having influence in their areas to keep them in good humour.
Former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi, who has now become NDA’s Mahadalit face, is contesting Imamganj in Gaya district apart from his Makhdoompur constituency, 90 km away in neighbouring Jehanabad district. Knowing fully the presence and importance of Naxalites, even though they are keeping a low profile, Manjhi has extended his hands of friendship with them. Manjhi too is trying to keep Naxals in good humour. He is publicly supporting the cause of the Maoists to the extent of even declaring himself a Naxalite. As CM he had advocated for their rehabilitation with `5 lakh incentive and share in contract works. Chaudhary who enjoys a strong grip on this region has been able to minimise the impact of Maoists with extensive development of the areas. “The impact of Naxalism minimised to great extent with the laying of roads and construction of bridges. Now no area here remains inaccessible,” says Shahnawaz Alam Khan of Dumrawan. “The development has brought peace,” he adds. Imamganj pramukh or head Fasih Ahmad Ansari says 17 bridges, several roads and State highways, schools, ITI, stadium, power grid, 30-bed hospital with doctors and free ambulance service have been introduced. “No constituency has seen as much development as Imamganj,” he claims giving credit to Chaudhary.
Whatever Ansari says, the real credit for the development goes to Maoists as most of the projects came to counter and minimise their influence.