Maoists allow polls, infra work in Maharashtra region

NAGPUR: The Maoists, who enforce a boycott of all elections, for the first time allowed the democratic exercise during the bypoll on April 15 for four booths of

Etapalli

taluka. Without resistance from the rebels, voters from 22 villages cast their votes, including some who walked 25km to reach the booth. The district recorded the highest voting percentage (71.9%) in the region.


Two NGOs, Janhitavadi Sanghatna and Aheri Zilla Kruti Samit, revealed at a press meet in Gadchiroli on Wednesday that some formations of the Maoists at Gatta, Bhamragarh, and also a platoon, had suspended activities between April 13 to April 16. The rebels wanted to ensure the birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was observed, and the bypoll was held peacefully.

The NGO representatives said that without the silent support of the Maoists, the hugh polling percentage was not possible. The NGO activists, Suresh Barsagade and Diksha Zade, said a faction of the Maoist leadership has also decided not to oppose development and infrastructure works, like erection of bridges, roads and such facilities.

Once the Maoists allowed the bypoll to go ahead, 45.5% polling took place at the highly sensitive booths at Watelli, Gardewada, Gardewada (Puskoti) and Gardewada (Wangeturi). Polling had been deferred here on April 11 as election officials could not reach the locations. The booths were shifted from all four places to Gatta for security reasons. Polling was allowed only till 3pm to ensure officials could return to headquarters before nightfall.

Despite the odds, 1,210 out of 2,686 voters cast their votes. “Villagers from Wangeturi, 25km away, walked to-and-fro under the sun to vote. Similarly, villagers from Murewada (15km away), Koyenvarshi (13km), Watelli (12km), Mardakoti (14km) and other places reached the booth at Gatta without any police protection. If the Maoists had wanted, they could have easily stopped the villagers,” said Barsagade.