EVM machines from Maharashtra’s 5 Naxal affected booths to be airlifted to a safe place immediately

Report on the Lok Sabha elections

Mumbai – There are 5 election booths in Maharashtra’s Naxal affected Gadchiroli and Gondia Districts. Anticipating Naxal attack during the Lok Sabha elections, voting will stop at 3 p.m. here and the EVM machines will be airlifted using helicopters to a safe place. The State Election Commission has requested 5 helicopters to the Union Home Ministry. The voting in Gadchiroli and Gondia Districts will be held on 19^th April.

1. Arjuni-Borgaon and Aamgaon are 2 election centres in the Naxal affected area of Gondia District; while Aaheri, Amarmothi and Gadchiroli centres are from the Gadchiroli District which have been declared as Naxal affected.

2. For conducting secure and safe elections in these Naxal affected areas, the Central Armed Police Force and State Disaster Police Force shall patrol the area for 3 days before the elections. The concerned District Officers have sent letter to Election Commission and Home Ministry for giving extra security in the area.

3. During the 2009 assembly elections of Maharashtra, 17 policemen were killed in the attack by the Naxals 3 days before the voting day. This was a huge Naxal attack carried out during elections. With this background, heavy security measures will be kept in Gadchiroli and Gondia’s Naxalite areas.

#LokSabhaElections2024 update.

➡️ Voting machines at 5 Naxal-affected polling stations in #Maharashtra, will be immediately moved to a safe place by helicopter.

➡️ It is unfortunate that during this ‘Amrit kal (golden era)’ of India, voting is taking place under the dark clouds… pic.twitter.com/AqjkCAlHCG

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) March 19, 2024

Four Naxalites killed in Gadchiroli

In the backdrop of the Lok Sabha elections, the Maharashtra Police had received information that a big conspiracy was being hatched in the forests of Gadchiroli. They operated with special commandos C-60 of CRPF and killed 4 Naxalites while retaliating to Naxalist firing. The encounter continued for a long time. AK-47 and other weapons have also been seized from the Naxalites. It is said that the action of the security forces will continue.

Editorial Perspective

It is unfortunate that the elections take place under the threat of Naxalism ! This will end only when the Naxalism is eradicated.