Naxals have started threatening villagers in some parts of Chhattisgarh with dire consequences if they vote in next month’s Assembly elections, after which the Centre sent additional 40,000 paramilitary personnel.
Official sources said Naxal cadres have been visiting many villages in their stronghold Bastar district since last week, putting up posters and asking people not to cast votes in the coming elections.
The Maoists have warned the villagers that fingers will be chopped off if anyone is found with marks of casting vote and they should not venture out on the day of polling. Sources said that in the past elections, the Naxals only asked people to boycott the polls but this time they have threatened of dire consequences. The two-phased elections will be held on November 11 and 19.