Hero Image

Security forces put on alert to tackle Maoist violence

PATNA: Though the number of Maoist-hit districts in the state has reduced from 23 in 2014 Lok Sabha election to 16 now, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is leaving no stone unturned to tackle any move of the rebel outfit to disrupt polls.

Patna, Bhojpur, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Begusarai and Khagaria are some of the districts in the state which will go to polls sans the ‘Maoist-hit’ tag this time.

These districts were excluded from the left wing extremism list by the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) in April last year.

In 2018, the state had witnessed minimum Maoist violence when compared to the previous 13 years, thanks to a financial crackdown on top Maoist leaders by the Enforcement Directorate , which attached their movable and immovable properties worth several crores in the state.

In August last year, the MHA had declared Aurangabad, Gaya, Jamui and Lakhisarai as 30 left wing extremism-affected districts in the country which record maximum Maoist violence. Aurangabad, Gaya, Jamui and Nawada will go to polls in the first phase on April 11.

Chief electoral officer (CEO) H R Srinivasa told TOI over the phone that security forces would remain on full alert even in the districts which are no more considered as Maoist-infested.

“We are on high alert. The areas in Jharkhand, which share border with four Maoist-hit constituencies in Bihar, are not going to polls in the first phase. This has to be kept in mind for making security arrangements,” he said.

The last two general elections saw large scale Maoist violence in the state. In 2009 LS polls, seven people, including six security personnel, were killed in Maoist violence in the state. In 2014, five security personnel were killed and 16 injured in such attacks.

According to data available with officials at the CEO office, a sub-inspector (SI), a magistrate and five constables were killed in Maoist attacks in 2009 general election. Of them, two constables were killed in Gaya, the SI, magistrate and three more constables lost their lives after Maoists triggered a landmine blast in Muzaffarpur. In Motihari too, a police vehicle was damaged in a landmine explosion. However, none died in the incident.

In Gaya, five buildings were blown up by the Maoists in 2009. The rebels had also attacked police and polling parties. In Aurangabad, three buildings were blown up by the Maoists and two attacks reported on political leaders. In Rohtas, a police party was attacked. In Jamui also, one building was blown up.

During 2014 general election, three security personnel were killed and eight injured in Aurangabad. In Munger, two security personnel were killed and eight injured. Central Reserve Police Force jawans had come under attack in Munger while they were on way to a polling station in Jamui parliamentary constituency.

READ ON APP