A jawan of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was wounded in an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blast orchestrated by Maoist insurgents while on election duty in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district. The incident unfolded in the heart of the Maoist-prone Tondamarka region, underscoring the persistent security threats faced by security personnel during poll operations.
The injured CRPF jawan, Inspector Shrikant, who is a member of the CoBRA (Commando Battalions for Resolute Action) 206th battalion, was part of a joint team conducting an area domination operation. The operation aimed to secure the region during the ongoing polls and maintain law and order.
The IED explosion occurred when Inspector Shrikant inadvertently triggered the explosive device, which had been planted by Maoists. The blast resulted in injuries to the brave CRPF officer.
Tondamarka is situated in the Konta assembly segment, one of the 20 constituencies where voting is underway during the first phase of the two-phase elections for the 90-member Chhattisgarh assembly. Many of these constituencies are located in the Maoist-affected Bastar division, making the security situation especially challenging for the election authorities and security personnel.
For the first phase of the elections, a total of 5,304 polling booths have been established, and over 25,000 polling personnel have been deployed across Chhattisgarh. Due to the Maoist threat, polling in specific areas, including Mohla-Manpur, Antagarh, Bhanupratappur, Kanker, Keshkal, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur, and Konta, is scheduled to take place from 7 am to 3 pm. In the remaining ten constituencies, such as Khairgarh, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Dongargaon, Khujji, Bastar, Jagdalpur, Chitrakot, Pandariya, and Kawardha, voting is permitted from 8 am to 5 pm.
The incident serves as a reminder of the complex security challenges faced by security personnel and election authorities in Maoist-affected regions during the electoral process. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the safety of all involved and to maintain the integrity of the democratic process.
Sources By Agencies
