The Hindu : Other States / Jharkand News : Spectre of naxalite menace on campaigning

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 26, 2005

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Other States - Jharkand

Spectre of naxalite menace on campaigning

RANCHI, JAN. 25. The spectre of naxalite menace continues to haunt candidates of different political parties despite assurances by the government to maintain strict security.

Aspirants are facing a tough time campaigning for the February assembly polls as activists of the banned naxal organisation beat up not only party workers but punished candidates in different parts of Jharkhand. They also ransacked their offices. Reports received said the naxals were moving freely and urging people not to vote.

The first incident was reported from Latehar district where the activists stopped RJD and JD(U) workers from campaigning and beat them up.

On January 23 the rebels abducted JMM candidate from Panki Amrit Ram with 19 others and torched their vehicles. The same day the ultras attacked RJD and JMM offices in Dumri constituency and in Palamu district they assaulted some political activists and warned them against campaigning.

BSP candidate Imamul Ansari from Bagodar constituency was kidnapped by the extremists. They freed him after pulling out his finger nails and looting about Rs 17,000, the report said.

Mr. Ansari had filed a complaint with the police. In Palamu the naxalites torched two vehicles and attacked two others of LJP and Congress.

IG(operation) R.C. Kaithal said that they had sufficent forces and directed all the Superintendents of Police to increase regular patrolling to ensure safety of candidates and their workers.

UNI

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Spectre of naxalite menace on campaigning