After almost-peaceful elections in the 10 constituencies in the first two phases in Jharkhand, covering extremist-hit areas in Palamau, Singhbhum and Khunti, the police have now geared up to hold free and peaceful elections in Santhal Pargana, which has a history of Maoist violence in both lok Sabha as well as Assembly elections in 2009.
State Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Kumar told The Pioneer that they are not at all complacent. “We know there were a couple of casualties in the last elections. So, we are going to deploy adequate forces to ensure free and peaceful elections,” Kumar pointed out.
The DGP is also rushing to Dumka on Monday to review the security preparations and issue necessary tips to the security personnel for April 24 elections.
The DGP said that barring an incident in Bokaro on April 17, in which three personnel were injured, the elections were peaceful. “In the Bokaro gun battle, one Maoist was killed and another was seriously injured,” he added.
He said that around half a dozen police stations, including Kathikund, Gopikandar, Ramgarh, Shikaripara, Amrapara and Sundar Pahari under Dumka, Raj Mahal and Godda constituencies are sensitive zones and we will be taking adequate measures to drive away Maoists. “Dhanbad is not so sensitive from Naxal point of view as Tundi, under the district, which is part of Giridih constituency has already voted,” he added.
Rebels had ambushed a polling party near Jodam under Kathikund police station on the polling day of the last lS election in May 2009. A village chowkidar was killed and a banker engaged in polling duty injured when rebels opened indiscriminate firing on the vehicle ferrying them after polls.
They had once again ambushed a patrolling party in the subsequent Assembly election in the same year in December without any resistance. Two BSF jawans of a road opening party were killed at Chaypani under Shikaripara police station of Dumka.
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Cops combat-ready for fair polls in Santhal heartlandolls in Santhal heartland
It is no secret that the Maoist outfit has strengthened itself over the years which is evident from the string of fatal incidents triggered by them, including the killing of Pakur SP Amarjit Balihar and his guards on July 2 last year near Kathikund in Dumka.
The DGP pointed out the sustained operation against Maoists has paid the dividend. “There was decline in the rebel incidents by 150 per cent. There were 150 Maoist-related cases in the first three months last year, which declined to 50 this year,” he said, adding there was perfect coordination with the paramilitary forces in deployment of forces and running anti-Naxal operations during the elections.
Kumar said that in the last elections a large number of such forces were deployed who had no experience in fighting against Maoists. “This time the Election Commission accepted our request to deploy only such forces, which had prior experience of fighting in a Maoist terrain,” he added.
“Besides, we gave the paramilitary forces three weeks’ training and familiarised them with the areas before deploying them for the poll duty. Each and every poll-bound State constable too was given three-day training,” he said, adding there was strict instruction not to use vehicle beyond the cluster point.
The DGP, who travelled to every district to review the security measures for elections, said that the tactful deployment of forces could also be said to be the reason behind the peaceful elections.