BJP MLA’s killing casts shadow over Bastar

Bhopal: Insurgency-hit Bastar (ST) Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh which is going to polls in the first phase parliamentary elections on Thursday has been put on high alert in the wake of Tuesday’s killing of local BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi along with four jawans by Maoists.

Around 300 companies of Central Paramilitary Forces along with state police forces have been spread across the Bastar (ST) LS seat to foil Maoists’ design to derail the polling process particularly in remote areas in the region by preventing the voters to reach their respective polling booths and targeting polling parties, a senior police officer posted in Bastar division comprising seven districts said on Wednesday.

Polling parties have begun to reach their respective booths three days ago.

Polling officers assigned the task of manning 159 booths in remote areas in the constituency had to be dropped in their respective polling Centres by choppers.