Chhattisgarh Maoists' threat: People defy violence to cast their votes

One major challenge contributing to the low voter turnout in Maoist-affected areas is the vast distances between polling stations. The government has allocated 'X' category security to 24 leaders of various Assembly constituencies in Bastar. Maoists have not shied away from targeting political figures even in recent years.

Raipur (Chhattisgarh): In the initial round of Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, which will be held on November 7, it is worth noting that 18 out of the 20 Assembly constituencies are situated in the heart of the Maoist stronghold. What's intriguing is that over the past three elections, there has been a significant increase in voter turnout. This trend indicates that, despite the backdrop of violence and intimidation, the people have boldly defied the extremist threat and steadfastly placed their trust in democracy.

Some simple data will prove the point. Over the years, the voting percentage in Maoist-affected areas has steadily increased. This upward trend in participation is a testament to the resilience of the people. In 2003, the voting percentage stood at 66.04%, which climbed to 67.05% in 2008, further reaching 76% in 2013 and 76.37% in 2018. Notably, even the most afflicted areas, including Bijapur, Konta and Dantewada, have witnessed a surge in voter turnout. In Bijapur, for instance, the voter turnout surged from a mere 29.19% in 2008 to a promising 48.18% in 2018.

Indeed, Naxalism has long plagued the region, with sporadic incidents still challenging the peace. In the run-up to elections, Maoists typically issue leaflets and posters calling for a boycott of the polls, often causing fear among the local population. However, the government and the Election Commission have made significant arrangements to conduct peaceful elections.

One major challenge contributing to the low voter turnout in Maoist-affected areas is the vast distances between polling stations. Nonetheless, in the 2023 elections, a significant development is the inclusion of over 120 villages in Bastar that will be able to cast their votes in their respective constituencies for the first time since India gained independence.

The security situation in these areas remains a top priority. The government has allocated 'X' category security to 24 leaders of various Assembly constituencies in Bastar. These leaders will be accompanied by two armed guards during their election campaigns. The Maoists' primary aim today is to eliminate local leadership, as they recognise that with rising leadership comes a diminishing grip on the area. Tragically, they are not averse to using violence to achieve their ends.

Manish Gupta, a senior journalist in the Bastar region, said, “There should be slightly higher security presence to facilitate peaceful voting in Maoist-affected regions. The government is also trying to implement development programmes in these areas, but the pace of development should be accelerated and that can only weed out Naxalism from these areas."

Varnika Sharma, a Maoist expert, said, “Although development in and around Maoist-affected districts and urban areas has shown promise, but is yet to reach the desired level. Nevertheless, the continued increase in voter turnout in these regions is a testament to the growing awareness among the common people”.

Challenges Posed by Naxalism in Chhattisgarh Elections

Chhattisgarh's history is marred by violent incidents caused by Maoists. A stark example of their impact on elections occurred just before the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections in 2013. Maoists targeted a convoy of Congress leaders during the 'Parivartan Yatra' in the Jheeram Valley of Bastar district. This brutal attack resulted in the loss of 29 lives, including the State Congress President Nand Kumar Patel, former Leader of Opposition Mahendra Karma, and former Union Minister Vidya Charan Shukla.

Maoists have not shied away from targeting political figures even in recent years. During the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, they killed BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi from Dantewada. This incident occurred on April 9, 2019, when Maoists planted an improvised explosive device (IED) near Shyamgiri village of Nakulnar, leading to the death of Bhima Mandavi and three others.

The grim toll continues, with the BJP claiming that Maoists have killed four of their party leaders in 2023: Sagar Sahu of Narayanpur district, Budhram Kartam of Bastar and Neelkanth Kakkem and Ramdhan Alami of Bijapur district.

Despite these disheartening incidents, the Central Home Department asserts that Maoists violence has witnessed a continuous decline. They report a 77% reduction in Maoist violence in 2022 and a substantial 90% decrease in the deaths of security personnel and civilians due to Maoists violence, compared to 2010.