People standing in line to cast their vote
Despite the boycott call given by the rebels, nearly 80 per cent polling was recorded in the Naxal-affected Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh in yesterday's Assembly polls, authorities said.
Naxals had asked people not to vote through posters and pamphlets, and put up felled trees across roads to prevent polling parties and people from reaching the polling stations, officials said.
However, an impressive 80 per cent electorate defied the ultras in the Naxal-affected constituencies of Baihar, Paraswada and Lanjhi. Due to the threat of Naxal violence, polling was held in these constituencies from 7 am to 3 pm.
Voters, many of them dressed in traditional tribal attire, were seen standing in long queues at polling stations right from the morning on Monday.
Former Naxals Magru alias Pavel, Mahel Singh alias Latif and Imlabai (a woman), acquitted by the courts, were among those who voted in Baihar constituency.
They wanted to live peacefully by joining the society's mainstream, they told PTI correspondent, and said they expected that winning candidate would work for welfare of tribal community.