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Journalism of Courage
After the peaceful Assembly polls a few months back, Bihar returned to its original form today, as the first phase of panchayat elections began, with at least 12 people being killed in poll-violence. The state Home Secretary’s reaction to the deaths during booth-grabbing, group clashes, gunbattles and police firing has shocked many.
The newly appointed Home Secretary, Afzal Amanullah, stated on record that it was an ‘‘acceptable price for grassroots democracy’’. ‘‘It is not a matter of great concern…,’’ he said while briefing the press this evening. Perhaps not realising the faux pas, he went on to say that if every booth had to be guarded by Central forces for peaceful polls, then ‘‘where is the power of the people?’’
He also said that they did not have adequate Central forces as, against 40 companies sent by the Centre, only 13 had reached. He said things would improve from the second phase onwards as the 40 companies would arrive by then.
The 12 deaths were spread over six districts. Four persons were killed in Nawada, three in Chhapra, two in Gaya, and one each in Vaishali, Samastipur and Bhagalpur. The figure may go up with reports from farflung areas being awaited. Most of the deaths were results of armed clashes.
Officially, there were at least 14 incidents of firing between rival groups which left at least five dead.
Unofficial figures of gunbattles were higher. In at least three incidents, rival groups opened fire and murdered their opponents.
The police opened fire in at least 10 places in which one person was killed. Another person was killed in an explosion. Apart from these were many incidents of booth-grabbing, tearing up of ballot papers and loot of ballot boxes.
Today’s violence apart, so far, around 100 panchayat heads and contestants have been killed in pre-poll violence in the state. The panchayat elections are scheduled in 10 phases ending June 10.
Polling was held in 62 blocks in all the 38 districts in 13,721 booths. The polling percentage, according to the Home Secretary, was around 55-60 per cent. Electronic voting machines are not being used.
During the four phase Assembly polls last year, less than six deaths related to poll-violence were reported.
However, the Assembly polls were held under massive deployment of Central forces. Once again, the state government had demanded 600 companies of Central forces for conducting the polls but so far has been granted 50. During the last panchayat polls in 2001, the state recorded around 90 deaths.
yadav.jp@expressindia.com
