Mass exodus from village after Maoist poll threat

Fearing retribution from Maoist guerrillas for attending a political rally, an entire bloc of 1,200 villagers in Chhattisgarh have left their homes and moved into the nearest town.

Fearing retribution from Maoist guerrillas for attending a political rally, an entire bloc of 1,200 villagers in Chhattisgarh have left their homes and moved into the nearest town.

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The tribals from Garpa village in Bastar district, 275 km from here, fled after the outlawed People's War Group (PWG) circulated pamphlets threatening to chop off hands of those who either voted or even participated in election campaigning.

The villagers have moved to the district headquarters in Jagdalpur, 38 km away.

Inspector general of the area Girdhari Nayak said the threats came after the villagers attended a rally organised by the Bastar Rajya Party Wednesday. He said the villagers were expected to return after a few days.

The villagers, whose stay has been organised on the outskirts of Jagdalpur, have sought the district administration's help to save them from the PWG.

And as the terrified villagers wait to go back home, the Chhattisgarh government has asked the people, particularly in areas like Bastar, Dantewada and Sarguja, not to panic.

"The government has been committed to ensuring a free and fair poll in all parts of the state and adequate police arrangements will be made in Naxal-infested areas for a smooth polling on April 20 in Chhattisgarh," said Home Minister Brijmohan Agrawal.