Despite Maoists threats to the people against participating in the panchayat polls, the rural population of naxal infested blocks of Dumaria, Ghorabandha and Mosaboni participated overwhelmingly in the elections to exercise their franchise. The poll percentage is Musabani-62%, Dumaria-72%, Gurabandha -76%, district-68%.
“It has become a regular affair for Maoists to give a poll boycott call. But the people here are brave enough to face every challenge and exercise their franchise. In last Assembly polls too the participation of the people was tremendous,” said Jay Kishore, a social activist of Ghatshila.
Meanwhile district administration officials said all necessary initiatives were taken to hold free and fair polling. Amitabh Kaushal, Deputy Commissioner, East Singhbhum said that the first phase of polling concluded peacefully with no incident of violence reported so far. He expressed happiness over the response from the voters and said that everything went of smoothly. “The good thing is that people responded to the panchayat elections overwhelmingly and the administration is happy,” said deputy commissioner and district election officer.
Another district official said that though Maoists have put up posters asking people to boycott polls and threatening candidates like it Musaboni under Ghatshila sub-division , security has been beefed up in areas said to be dominated by them.
“We had intensified patrolling and combing operation in the area to foil any possible Maoist violence and ensure free and fair polls. Apart from sealing the borders attached to neighbouring districts, we have also urged police superintendents of neighbouring States to pace up vigilance exercise at their end,” said Anoop Mathew, SSP.
Sakro Hansda, a candidate for panchayat samity member from Ghurabandha panchayat lodged a complaint with the sector magistrate at around 1 pm after not finding her name and poll symbol (pair of slippers) in the ballot paper at Booth No. 29 in Utkramit Madhya Vidyalaya, Kasiabera in Ghurabandha block, around 100 km from city.
“ I have lodged a complaint with the sector magistrate (Kunj Sahu) and also with Ghurabandha BDO Ashok Kumar,” said Sakro Hansda, who is contesting in the post for the first time.
The booth has 413 voters (female- 214 and male 199). Sector magistrate Kunj Sahu said that the panchayat samity members along with her supporter created a ruckus and disturbed polling for nearly an hour. East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Amitabh Kaushal admitted of receiving a complaint and ordered an inquiry. “I have ordered an inquiry by the BDO and the presiding officer and the decision would be takentomorrow after getting report of the presiding officer,” said Amitabh Kaushal.
Meanwhile, rebel hit Ghurabandha block witnessed a high voters turnout of 76 percent while Dumaria and Mosaboni had 72 per cent and 62 per cent voters turnout. The total voters turnout in the three blocks was 68 per cent.