Maoists' frequent Bandh calls badly disrupt life in Bastar

Bastar (Chhattisgarh), Sep.1 (ANI): In Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, which is one the most Maoist infested districts of the State, the frequent shutdown calls by Maoists have badly affected people's daily lives.

One of the worst affected are local train services which make it difficult for people to commute to their workplaces.

Routine Bandhs badly affect the train services, which ultimately troubles hundreds of passengers who commute from Jagdalpur of Bastar to rest of the country.

"I keep travelling for my business purpose and after arriving here I came to know that the train is not coming anymore and might not come for the next two days. Many a times, Maoists issue a threat saying that the train should not move beyond Jagdalpur and we face a lot of difficulty. The bus fares are more expensive than the train," said Manoj Pandey, one of the stranded passengers.

"Due to the Maoist violence and their frequent calls for shutdown, the common men are affected a lot. In fact recently in Bastar, when the Maoist stopped the movement of vehicles, a man who had fallen ill and had to be taken to Narayanpur for immediate treatment, died," said P. B. Ramna, an analyst on local issues in Bastar.

Ramna tells the violent activities of Maoists at times have tragic repercussions for the public at large. Like in 2007, the Maoists blasted off High Tension Towers due to which electricity could not be restored for many days here. Such incidents also affect the people seeking medical attention e.g. the life saving drugs cannot be stored as refrigerators cannot work.

He said Maoists often trigger violence to push Government on back foot and demoralise security agencies here.

According to M. R. Nayak, Station-in-charge at Jagdalpur, people are scared of confronting Maoists.

"Whenever there is any Maoist threat, we get orders from our superiors to stop the movement of trains," said M. R. Nayak, station in-charge, Jagdalpur.ccording to the state finance department one-day shutdown causes a loss of Rs. 2,700 crore to exchequer.

Naxals call for frequent shutdowns to make their presence felt in the region. But the main sufferer remains the common man.

People here expect the Government to take necessary steps for their welfare and to establish a fearless environment. (ANI)