Paramilitary forces for Jharkhand’s panchayat polls

NEW DELHI: The Centre will move around 17,500 para-military personnel to Jharkhand for the state’s first panchayat elections, to check Maoists violence and ensure they do not enforce a poll boycott.

“Though MHA does not really spare Central forces for panchayat polls in states, given the special circumstances in Jharkhand and CPI(Maoist)’s recent call for a poll boycott, around 10,000 security personnel will immediately move to the state from Bihar, where assembly polls have just concluded. Another 75 companies, or 7,500 troops will reach Jharkhand by December 5,” said a senior home ministry official.

Panchayat polls in Jharkhand will be held over five phases starting from November 27 and ending with the last phase on December 24. Intelligence agencies apprehend increased violence in the state as Maoists, waho have already asked people to boycott the election, to try to enforce their diktat.

It is to rein in Maoists and also create a conducive and secure atmosphere for the voter to come out and exercise his/her franchise that the Centre has decided to deploy para-military forces in Jharkhand.

Around 50% contestants may be linked to or be sympathisers of Maoists, assess intelligence agencies. Maoists may look at controlling panchayats by proxy, as it would give them access to government funds.