Don't vote: Naxals tell UP voters
Monday, April 30, 2007
Nagwa village, Sonebhadra (UP), Apr 30: Naxals have called for a boycott of polls in parts of Utter predesh, as the State gears for the last two of the seven phases of Assembly elections in the State.
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With 52 assembly constituencies heading for the sixth phase polling on May 3, police and local administration are on their tenterhooks, as it would include three Districts of Sonebhadra, Mirzapur and Chandauli, which have considerable axal influence.
The poll boycott call has been issued by releasing pamphlets that ask villagers to vote for particular candidates or not to vote altogether.
Naxals with double barrel country made guns slung on their shoulders can be sighted moving in groups in areas under their domination. For them the heightened security during the run up to the polls has meant little more than a mere curtailment of movement.
The Naxals know when to prowl and send the message across.
"These elections are taking place since the last 58 years. But what have we gained from it.
These elections are meant for capitalists and their goons. The rights of the common people are being overlooked.
None of the democratic parties are bothered about the common man then why should we be concerned about it.
We want elections that are meant for the common people and would work for them," Rakesh, a Naxal activist with an assumed name, said somewhere in a remote area in Nagwa village of Sonebhadra District.
As police and paramilitary contingents have stepped up patrolling, officials said they would ensure free and fair poll.
"The Election Commission has come out with a special deployment plan for the Naxal-affected areas. It is different from other areas.
It is a special deployment plan which will try to make sure that the Naxals do not affect the polls and that people can vote without fear," said R.P. Singh, Deputy Inspector General, Varanasi range.
The present election in Uttar Pradesh has been notably different from previous polls when booth capturing incidents and rigging elections were commonplace and the Election Commission was compelled to hold several rounds of re-polling.
The seventh and final phase of poll will be on May 8 and counting will take place on May 11 with most of the results expected the same day.
Daily India News
Labels: NEWS, Uttar pradesh
posted by Resistance 4/30/2007 10:47:00 PM,
