Thaindian News

Kolkata May 10 (IANS) “Initially I was very apprehensive. But after seeing so many security people around, I felt safe and have come out to vote,” said an elderly woman at a booth in West Bengal’s Maoist hotbed, echoing the popular mood Tuesday as hundreds gave their thumbs up to the battle of ballots over bullets.

The woman was speaking in Ranibandh of Bankura district.

Over 83 percent of the 26 lakh-plus electorate in 14 constituencies spread over three districts voted, defying a boycott call from the Maoists.

“I have seen so many elections. But this is the first time that I have seen such long queues outside the booths. I think it’s a record,” said a voter coming out of a booth in Ranibandh’s Jhilimili forest area, known for its strong Maoist presence.

Similar was the case in West Midnapore and Purulia districts, as long queues at booths became the order of the day.

However, there were pockets like Purulia’s Baghbinda village, that witnessed the killing of nine Forward Bloc activists last year, where the polling percentage was low.

The handsome turnout of voters in what is commonly called Jangalmahal, because of vast forested stretches, was preceded by a massive security deployment to enable people to exercise their democratic rights.

The entire area resembled a battlefield with over 100,000 security personnel pressed into service. Kalashnikov-wielding security personnel took their positions in large number of bunkers and on the roofs of polling booths. In some remote areas, the forces requisitioned lorries and set up makeshift sand bunkers atop them. Helicopters hovered in the sky, while anti-landmine vehicles travelled the roads.

Crack commandos of the Central Reserve Police Force’s anti-Maoist wing, Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), scoured the jungles looking for any suspicious movements.

In booths located next to forested Maoist dens, troopers stood on high alert facing the jungle.

The forces were armed with anti-explosive devices while in several booths which had poor mobile connectivity the polling officials were given high frequency satellite phones.

Earlier, the Maoists had called for a poll boycott. Describing the electoral process as a farce, they urged people not to participate in the elections.