Bastar tribals defy Naxalites, cast vote
Nilwaya polling booth in Dantewada district where Maoists killed four civilians on October 30, recorded 19 votes. The polling booth was newly opened.
Raipur: The first phase assembly elections in Chhattisgarh on Monday witnessed unusual enthusiasm among the tribal voter in insurgency-hit Bastar who dared Mao-ist threats to pour into polling booths in their respective areas by walking miles and crossing rivers.
Over two dozen polling booths in remote Bastar which had recorded zero voting in 2013 assembly elections, was on Monday abuzz with enthusiastic voters who were seen standing in long queues to exercise their franchise.
Nilwaya polling booth in Dantewada district where Maoists killed four civilians on October 30, recorded 19 votes. The polling booth was newly opened.
Similarly, no voter turnout was recorded in polling booths in Sameli, Burgum, Pateli in Dantewada district and Bhejji one, Bhejji two, Gorkha, Gocchanpalli, Koiligunda and Murkum in Sukma district where in 2013. But, voters showed up this time.