Intel warns of Naxal attacks during Jharkhand elections

With the Assembly elections in Jharkhand due to take place in two phases on November 13 and 20, intelligence inputs have been received that Left-Wing extremists (LWE) are planning attacks in West Singhbhum and Bokaro on the polling dates. Security forces have been put on alert to avert attacks.

According to intelligence sources, inputs have been received about possible attacks and Naxal violence by LWE on polling booths as well as public places in West Singhbhum and Bokaro districts on November 13 and November 20. It is lerarnt that the two districts have significant presence of Naxals.

They further informed that state police authorities have also been alerted about inputs received on possible Naxal violence during the polling dates, and efforts are being made to prevent untoward incidents.

Jharkhand is among the states that faces the menace of Naxal violence in the country and therefore the Assembly elections here have been kept in two phases.

In 2019, the assembly elections were held there in five phases. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, while announcing the schedule for assembly polls in Jharkhand and Maharashtra on October 15, had admitted that there were factors about Naxal areas that were considered for schedulting elections in two phases.

However, he pointed out that last time the Assembly elections were conducted in five phases, but this time they were being held in only two phases.

As per the data of the Home Ministry, Naxalism is only restricted to five districts of Jharkhand — Giridih, Gumla, Latehar, Lohardaga and West Singhbhum.