THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, Nov 7: Religious bigots have overtaken political sentiments in two assembly constituencies in the Garhwa district i.e. Garhwa and Bhavnathpur.
Polarisation is raging in the Garhwa district. The electoral fight is painted as a fight between individuals and the two faiths. Issues are sadly taking a backseat.
In the forefront is which community is where? Electoral fortunes are being weighed in terms of support for the community or communities. The rift between the two communities is widening as the voting day approaches, November 13.
Every single vote is being seen as a vote of this faith or that faith. And the faithful of both sides are too fidgety. Trifle issues are blown out of all proportions. There is a concerted effort to vitiate the poll atmosphere here.
The Garhwa district administration is definitely in the throes of an inexplicable situation where political intrigues and deceits are in abundance. The two communities are refusing to value electoral peace.
The Jharkhand Story correspondent spoke to the Garhwa district election officer cum deputy commissioner Shekhar Jamuar to know how the two assembly constituencies in Garhwa district is doing.
Here it is most opportune to mention that the Jharkhand assembly with 81 assembly seats has its last post in Bhavnathpur in Garhwa district.
Shekhar Jamuar said, “Electoral passions are almost in frenzy here. Triviality is believed when it ought to have been shunned outright. Smaller things which can be easily sorted out are exaggerated.”
Asked if there is any deficit of trust in the district administration like its neutrality or transparency Shekhar Jamuar said, “Garhwa district administration is not only neutral to the core, it is transparent.”
“We are committed and determined to give a level playing field to the contestants. There is no compromise with our stand on providing a level playing field to all,” reiterated Shekhar Jamuar.
The Garhwa district election officer further added, “We have registered 20 cases for violation of the model code of conduct. This is itself a keen proof that the Garhwa administration is determined to have a free and fair polling.”
Police sources said there have been around 4 scores of FIRs lodged with different police stations in Garhwa district in regard to the electioneering.
Political analysts told The Jharkhand Story correspondent, “The political or electoral nerves are frayed so much in the pre-polling time, what bad will be in store post-result phase? The post-result phase may be worse than the pre-polling grimness of the situation.”
One resident of Garhwa town declining to be identified said, “We fear clashes to break out either on the day of polling which is November 13 or on the day of counting which is November 23 when the victory certificate is issued.”
This resident said, “The victory procession may incur the wrath of people opposed to the victory. Our fingers are crossed for this from now itself.”
According to Garhwa SP Deepak Kr Pandey, “Our interstate check posts are doing well. We have Mirror check posts too.”
Explaining Mirror check posts, Pandey said “Garhwa district is joined by UP, Chhattisgarh and Bihar. A Mirror check post is where it is set up on both the soil like Garhwa and places of UP, Chhattisgarh and Bihar. It’s like a joint check post doing jobs simultaneously on two different soils.”
Pandey said, “Police have executed 383 NBWs (non-bailable warrants) so far. It’s a continuous process.”
“1,300 people have been bonded down. Control of Crime Act known as CCA has been invoked against 21 people. Police patrol and vigil is 24×7,” added Deepak Kr Pandey.
Illicit wine, marijuana freebies etc worth more than 2 crores have been seized by the police. Surveillance teams are on the job.
On being asked as to how police find the pre-poll situation here in Garhwa district, the SP said, “We are keeping hawk’s eyes. We have been urging eligibles to vote without any fear or malice towards anyone.”
On firearms deposit, the SP said “On police report 3 licences of arms have been cancelled. There has been exemption to 18 firearms for security reasons.”
He further said, “We have gone for a tactical and strategic deployment of forces. We are determined to have zero-incident polling here. Garhwa police appeal to common people to extend cooperation.”
