J'khand Maoist hotbed to vote for first time in 3 decades

ONCE a Maoist stronghold, 760odd voters of 'Hesatu' village located in 'Budha Pahar' region, comprising Palamu and Chatra Lok Sabha constituencies, will vote for the first time in their own village after more than three decades.

- MUKESH RANJAN

Interestingly, most of the villagers have got to see their voter ID cards for the first time.

Earlier, polling booths at the village were relocated to a distance due to security reasons, but after more than three decades, the district administration has decided not to relocate it, on the request of locals.

Despite the claims of Jharkhand police that Budha Pahar has been freed from Maoists, four of the five polling stations, except Hesatu, will be shifted to safer locations.

Officials, however, claimed that Budha Pahar has been made absolutely free from all kinds of Maoist activities, due to which the people are quite excited and will vote fearlessly.