Phulbani, Orissa: Escorted by police, victims at the epicentre of communal riots in Orissa lodged in relief camps shed their fears and went to election booths in special buses, as polling was incident free in Kandhamal district which recorded an average 55 per cent voter turnout.
Ignoring a threat by Maoists and any fear of communal attacks, voters in some Christian pockets in the riot hit district turned out enthusiastically to exercise their franchise with a 80 per cent turnout in Bambinigaon village, as security personnel kept a hawk's vigil.
"Polling has been taking place in a peaceful atmosphere. I am quite satisfied that things turned out well," Kandhamal district magistrate Krishan Kumar said.
While voter turnout gradually increased as the day progressed, police intensified patrolling. The security personnel on motorbikes were patrolling the areas, Kandhamal SP Pravin Kumar said, adding there was no report of any untoward incident from any part of the district though Maoists had issued a threat asking people to boycott the polls.
The inmates from five different relief camps which housed the riot victims were taken to different polling booths in special buses where they voted without any trouble.
"Though there is fear in mind, we have voted without any problem", said Surabhi Nayak, who cast her vote at Sulesup booth under Burbina gram panchayat in Tikabali block.