Lalgarh (West Bengal): In the first phase of elections, Bihar and Chhattisgarh had seen unprecedented security arrangements for polls in Maoist-hit areas. And on Thursday, Lalgarh in West Bengal's Jhargram constituency will see the same.
Around 40,000 voters will be ferried by bus to polling stations on Lalgarh's outskirts. Lalgarh's adivasis have not let the police enter the area for the last six months to protest police harassment in their search for suspected Maoists.
As Lalgarh is not willing to allow the police to come into the area for the polling, the Election Commission is making special arrangements to bring the people to four polling stations. It's an important story because West Bengal hasn't seen anything like this in the past.
There are writings on the walls of the village that are not poll graffiti; they are warnings that if the police enter Lalgarh, the people will boycott the polls. And Lalgarh has won the argument.
Lalgarh's people believe in the democratic process. They want to vote and will vote. But the right to life comes before the right to vote," said Chatradhar Mahato, member, People's Committee Against Police Atrocities.
By right to life, Mahato means no police harassment. He heads the anti-police group formed after police raided the area in search of Maoists blamed for a landmine blast targeting state Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya.
Lalgarh normally has 40 booths. But this time, the election commission will set up four polling stations on Lalgarh's outskirts and provide a fleet of buses for 40,000 voters. But voters may not take the trouble. There is the heat and the fear of Maoist attacks.
"I want to vote but I have a small child. Let's see how he keeps. Going with him so far in this heat is difficult," said Sandhya Mandi, a voter.
"If the Election Commissioner sends buses, some people will come but many won't because of the terror. Why should people risk their lives? They won't come," said Sailen Chalak, another voter.
April 30 is an opportunity for the people of Lalgarh to make their voices heard. But will they be able to use that opportunity? Fear and unease is likely to keep many voters away from the polling stations despite the best efforts of the Election Commission.