Jharkhand Elections: Voting at 66 Naxal-affected booths in Saranda Forest poses major challenge

Mail News Service

Chaibasa, Oct 20: The upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections, set to be held in November, present a significant challenge for the police and district administration in Naxal-affected areas. A total of 66 polling booths—36 in Jagannathpur and 30 in Manoharpur—are located in the Naxal-dominated Saranda forest, where ensuring peaceful voting has been a long-standing concern.

Polling booths 1 to 36 under Jagannathpur Assembly and 1 to 30 under Manoharpur Assembly are situated deep within Saranda’s forest, an area once heavily controlled by Naxalites. Though Naxal activity has decreased over the years due to intensive counter-insurgency operations, the threat remains. In response, the voting period in these booths has been shortened by one hour, with polling closing at 4 PM instead of 5 PM.

A senior police official remarked, “While there are currently no active Naxal incidents near these booths, old threats, such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by Naxalites, continue to pose a danger. Our teams are prepared, but the situation remains delicate.”

Although CRPF camps have been set up near the polling stations to secure the area, the remnants of past Naxal activities still linger. The Naxalites’ strategy, including the planting of IEDs, has not been fully neutralized. In 2011, the month-long Operation Anaconda forced Naxalites into hiding in forested zones bordering the Chotanagra and Jaraikela police stations. Despite the establishment of multiple police camps, Naxalites remain in hiding in areas like Baliba, Babudera, Hollonguli, and Samatha, where they have laid pressure bombs to protect themselves and deter police operations.

The district administration is taking extra precautions to ensure a smooth voting process. “Polling parties will be air-dropped by helicopter to these sensitive booths to minimize risks,” a district official shared, emphasizing that these measures are designed to prevent any Naxalite interference.

However, the danger remains palpable. On October 17, Sunil Surin, a resident of Makranda village, was critically injured by a pressure bomb while collecting forest produce. He succumbed to his injuries the following day. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the hidden threats that still lurk in Saranda’s dense forests.

With heightened security measures and a robust police presence, the administration hopes to ensure peaceful voting in these Naxal-affected areas, but the situation remains tense. “We are leaving no stone unturned to guarantee the safety of voters and polling personnel,” a local official assured.