Lok Sabha Election 2024: Elections were held in the first phase of the Bastan constituency in Chhattisgarh yesterday. Areas like Bijapur, Kunta, Jagdalpur, Dantewada, Sukma are part of Bastar MP seats.
The area is like a stronghold for the Maoists. However, in the elections held yesterday, people in many villages of Dandakaranyam showed enthusiasm to vote. On the one hand, the warnings given by the Maoists to boycott the election were not heeded.
However, only one village is far away from this election. The people is far away from this election. The people of Hidma Sontur, know as a core Maoist leader and Maoist strategist, are staying away from the elections. No one from this came to vote. People did not vote in Puvarti village which falls under Sukma district bordering Bijapur district. Hidma is reputed to have planned and executed many horrific attacks. He is most Wanted by the security forces.
In the elections held on Friday, the voting percentage in Bastar was recorded as 67.56 percent. But Bool Level Officer Jawa Patel said no one has exercised the right to vote since birth. Officials said that voters in the village did not vote out of fear. Puvarti Polling Booth (No.4) is designated for three villagers namely Puvarti, Tekal Gudiam and Jonaguda. It was set up in a village called Sligar which is 20-25km from Puvarti.
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There are 332 voters in Puvarthi, 158 in Tekalgudiam and 157 in Jonaguda. There are 547 voters in the total booth area. Officials said that only 31 voters exercised their right to vote in this booth, but none of them belonged to Puvarti, 54.31 percent polling was recorded in Konta assemble constituency under Bastar Lok Sabha seat, Sukma district.
The Jagaragunda Area committee of the Maoists has put up banners in the villages around Puvarti to boycott the elections. However, in February this year, the Chhattisgarh police set up a came in Puvarti. This is considered the biggest victory of the security forces against the Maoists. (people’s Liberation Guerrilla Army) Battalion No.1 of the Maoists, as well as the current commander Barse Dewala, is the native village. This battalion was involved in several deadly attacks in South Bastar.