M A I N   N E W S

40 ‘mukhiya’ candidates killed
Bihar approaches UP, Bengal for weapons
Santosh Jha

Patna, April 8
The already bloodstained state of Bihar is set to create a new history of bloodbath and violence. As the first phase of Panchayat polls start on April 11, killings and gang wars have peaked forcing the top police and administrative brass to review the security aspects of the polls on Saturday. In the backdrop of more than 40 ‘mukhiya’ candidates already killed in the last one month, the Saturday gang war between the two rival dons of Gopalganj, killing six, has only validated the state Intelligence warning that in the entire Panchayat poll process, more than 1,000 persons would be killed in the state.

In an apparent gang war between the rival groups of two dons, Suresh Chowdhary and Ramchander Chowdhary over the Panchayat poll contest, AK47s, Kalashnikovs and automatic rifles were in full show on Saturday. The right hand man of Ramchander, Amarjit Sahni rebelled against his master and joined his rival gang of Suresh as his master refused to withdraw his wife from the fray for the post of Mukhiya in favour of the father of the latter. The gang war proved to be the decider as Ramchander was killed in the crossfire.

The top officials have been alarmed by the large-scale killings of candidates in the polls. More than 40 Mukhiya candidates have lost lives so far. Not only that, a large amount of Chinese-made arms has been smuggled into the state through the porous Indo-Nepal border to provide fire power to the contestants. Latest Intelligence reports have also warned the officials about “import” of huge fake currencies that have been in demand from the contestants to distribute among the voters to lure them to their sides. The local illegal arms manufacturing units at Nawada, Sheikhpura and Munger districts are already working overtime.

In a special drive against the criminals in the wake of the Panchayat polls, the state police has so far arrested more than 2000 hardcore criminals. A huge haul of arms has been seized by the police but in the light of the wives and relatives of almost all recognised criminals and area dons contesting the polls, the state police fears a violence. This is an added worry for the state police that faces challenge from the extremists that have called for a poll boycott.

Meanwhile, in the top-level review meet on Saturday, the Chief Secretary and Director-General of Police held consultations and worked out plans to hold peaceful Panchayat polls. It was decided to ask the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Orissa to lend rifles for its cops. The DGP, Mr R.R. Prasad, said that all polling booths would be provided armed security. The Home Secretary maintained that all extremist-infested booths would be provided with paramilitary forces. It has also been decided to seal the Indo-Nepal border during the polls.

Interestingly, despite the fact that the polls are to be held on a non-party basis, the political parties are leaving no stone unturned to ensure victory for its backed candidates. No doubt all parties have created election cells in their party offices.