Khunti, Jharkhand:
In 2013, Jharkhand saw the maximum number of incidents, and deaths due to Naxalism, as per figures from the Union Home Ministry. The state saw 383 incidents and 150 deaths.
A locked door, at an abandoned house in Khunti's Hitutola village, bears testimony to the shadow Naxalism has cast over life in Jharkhand. In August this year, 25-year-old Sudama Kumar was abducted and killed, allegedly by cadres of Naxal outfit People's Liberation Front of India. The man's family alleges he had been protesting against the sale of country-made liquor right next to a school in the village. They say the Naxal outfit takes a cut from liquor sales.
Brahm Shila Devi, Sudama's mother, says, "We had to leave the village because we were being threatened by the outfit. Yes, I want to vote in the election. The government keeps on saying women should take the lead. But what use is it? I went to the local MLA, to the cops for protection, nothing has been done."
The Jharkhand Police, on its part, says prompt arrests were made in the case, and they are ready to provide protection to the family.
But the story of this family is just a reflection of the larger problem that plagues Jharkhand when it comes to Naxalism. In April 2009, just a day before Lok Sabha elections in Palamu, Naxals killed two people including a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) constable in a bomb explosion. In retaliation, the CRPF claimed they gunned down five Maoists. But till this day, there are allegations that the forces actually killed innocent villagers in retaliation.
Then, there are those with alleged Naxal links, who want to contest. Ravinath Pahan, the brother of an alleged hardcore Naxal Kundan Pahan, who is wanted by the Jharkhand Police for beheading a policeman a few years ago, is battling accusations of being a proxy for his brother.
It's an accusation Ravinath Pahan hasn't reacted to so far, but across Jharkhand, there are a few others, including surrendered Naxals, who now want to be part of politics.