Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) [India], February 25 (HBTV): Sending a strong message of trust in democracy, residents of villages in the National Park area of Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district—an insurgent stronghold where security forces recently eliminated 31 cadres of the banned CPI (Maoist)—participated enthusiastically in the second phase of the three-tier panchayat elections on Thursday.

Hundreds of voters from five villages, including Sendra, ignored the threat of violence and exercised their franchise, choosing ballots over bullets. Many walked nearly 70 kilometers through dense forests, rivers, and difficult terrain to reach Bhopalpatnam and cast their votes.

‘We want employment opportunities, road connectivity, electricity, pensions, and other basic facilities from the government,’ said Kawre Shankar, a resident of one of the affected villages.

Polling sector officer Yalam Shankar highlighted the increased voter turnout, stating, ‘People traveled around 70 km using their own resources to participate in the elections. Compared to previous elections, the polling percentage has risen as more people recognize the importance of voting.’

It may be recalled that 31 cadres of the banned CPI (Maoist) were recently killed in an encounter with security forces in the forests of the National Park area in Bijapur district.

(ANI)