Shankar Agrawal
Jamshedpur, Nov 20: Voting for all 81 assembly seats in Jharkhand was completed peacefully across two phases, marking a significant achievement in the face of Naxal influence. In areas severely affected by Naxal dominance where the rebels had called for a boycott through posters, voters turned out in large numbers, defying the threats. Despite the Naxal campaign, security forces’ continuous efforts ensured that the elections were largely free from violence, with Naxalites relegated to mere poster pasting this time.
Naxalites, including the CPI Maoist, had attempted to disrupt the electoral process by issuing calls for boycotts, particularly in districts with a strong Maoist presence. On November 15, CPI Maoists put up posters in the Narayanpur area of Bokaro, Palamu, and Sarubeda in Nawadih police station territory, urging locals to avoid voting. Similarly, in the Chotanagra police station area of West Singhbhum (Chaibasa), during the first phase of polling on November 13, Maoists placed posters and felled trees to block roads, aiming to create fear and hinder the election process.
Despite these efforts, voter turnout was unaffected. Residents of these regions, emboldened by the relentless campaigns from security forces, cast their votes without fear. In the Tonto area of Chaibasa, which has long been a Maoist stronghold, villagers, who had long sought to break free from Naxal influence, voted in large numbers. This was a clear indication of the changing dynamics in the region, where Naxal influence has been waning.
Encouraging voter participation was also observed in several other Naxal-affected districts, such as Latehar, Palamu, Gumla, Khunti, Lohardaga, Ranchi, and Giridih. Even in the Pathalgadi-affected Khuntakti villages, where the local populace had boycotted voting during the 2019 elections due to Naxal threats, large numbers of people came out to vote this time.
The Shikaripara area of Dumka, located in Santal Pargana, had been a Maoist hotspot in the past, but reports now show that Maoist activity in the region has drastically diminished. This transformation is evident in the strong voter turnout and the peaceful conduct of elections in these formerly volatile areas.
A look at historical data from Jharkhand Police reveals a dramatic decline in Naxal violence during elections in recent years. The 2014 elections, for instance, witnessed the highest number of Naxal-related violent incidents. One of the most tragic incidents occurred on April 24, 2014, when Naxalites ambushed election workers returning from Dumka after conducting polling. The attack resulted in the death of eight people, including five policemen. In total, there were 13 Naxal incidents during the 2014 general elections, including explosions, police encounters, and arson. The subsequent 2014 Jharkhand Assembly elections were similarly violent, with several incidents involving police encounters, attacks, and explosions.
By contrast, the situation has markedly improved. The 2019 Lok Sabha elections saw some Maoist activity, including the bombing of the BJP office in Palamu and Kharsawan, and the killing of four policemen during an attack on a PCR van in Chandwa, Latehar district. However, the security situation has improved drastically in recent years, and Naxalites have struggled to carry out significant violent incidents during the ongoing assembly elections.
The success of these peaceful elections is a testament to the effective security measures implemented by the state and central authorities. The vigilance of the police and security forces, combined with the willingness of the public to vote despite the threats, has ensured that the election process has remained undisturbed by violence. The peaceful turnout in Naxal-affected regions signals hope for a future where democracy can thrive even in the face of long-standing insurgency.
The absence of major Naxal incidents this time reflects the success of sustained counterinsurgency efforts, and the growing resilience of Jharkhand’s voters who continue to prioritize their right to participate in the democratic process.
