The bullet still rules the roost in Banda lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh. A group of several small gangs has unleashed terror on nearly 40 villages in Manekpur block of Banda. They threaten the people to vote for “cycle” or face dire consequences. These gangs emerge from nowhere in the darkness of the night and call out villagers and issue “farman” to vote for the Samajwadi Party candidate. Such incidents have increased in the past five days. Interestingly, SP candidate from the Banda Bal Kumar Patel is the younger brother of dreaded dacoit Dadua.
Matadayal, a resident of Harjanpur village in the Manekpur block of Chitrakoot, an eyewitness, told The Pioneer that on the night of April 24, 12 armed men arrived in the villages of Bhartipurva, Naya Basti and Khadra. They issued the “farman” to villagers to vote for the “cycle”.
These incidents started in the second week of April and have become a regular affair since then. The dacoits have so far visited at least 40 villages in the forest and hilly areas of Banda under police stations of Bargar, Manekpur, Markundi, Bahelpurwa and Mau.
Matadayal said it was difficult to say whether one gang or several gangs were involved. “But what surprises us that the two opposing gangs — Bhalkhariya gang and Gauri gang — are working together. The police are hand-in-glove with the gangs who are dressed in khaki. They have assaulted at least 10 people in three villages,” alleged Matadayal. He said people were so petrified that they could not even think of lodging a report.
While talking to The Pioneer, BSP candidate from Banda, RK Singh Patel, said, “Several small gangs have been carrying out these activities in Manekpur. I wrote to the Election Commission on April 7 requesting them for deployment of paramilitary forces at the dacoit-affected booths. I have received a copy of the letter sent by the SP to the EC giving assurance of free and fair polls in the areas,” said Singh.
Hoewer, the Station House Officer of Manekpur police station denied any such activities in the region. “There are no such incidents,” he said. A staff from the same thana said there were cases of minor violence which are common during the time of elections. “There are no untoward incidents taking place and there are minor fights which are common during the time of elections,” he said.
Film director Krishna Mishra, who has made several movies on dacoits of Uttar Pradesh such as Wounded and Beehar said that dacoits influence still prevails. “They have only changed their gear and carry out something akin to the Naxalite activities. They have thrived because they get protection and in the past they have always threatened people and influence voters. Their influence cannot be stopped,” he said.