Chhattisgarh polls more peaceful than 2003

New Delhi, Nov 17 (UNI) Despite the boycott call given by the Naxalites, the first phase of the Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh was more peaceful than the last polls in 2003.

During the first phase of the polls, covering 39 seats across ten districts held on November 14, the Naxals were effectively repulsed, said sources in the Home Ministry.

The number of encounters with Naxals had more than doubled, while the number of security personnel killed reduced, they informed.

In contrast to the 73 EVMs snatched by miscreants during the 2003 Assembly polls, only 21 were taken away this time.

The security forces had 29 encounters with the Naxalites and they repulsed them just before the first phase of polls, while only 12 such encounters were held last time.

As many as six security force personnel had died in clashes with the Naxals in 2003, while only two security forces personnel laid their lives till now in this assembly polls. However, one only civilian has also died in such clashes this time, which had not happened during 2003 polls, they said.

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