Gadchiroli: Democracy wins in face of fear

GADCHIROLI: One is not so sure about poverty, but fear is without doubt a state of mind. In Gadchiroli, though, the fear is real, almost tangible. One can see it in people’s eyes.
Over the past few days, the locals have been living on the edge, wondering when their tranquility will be shattered. They are aware of Naxal presence amongst them, and are even more wary of the consequences of not following their decree.After all, the elaborate security cover will not be here for ever.
The Maoists, who have been quiet in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, had declared their resolve a few weeks earlier itself: Boycott the polls, do not vote. Not surprisingly, an uneasy calm prevails over the tiny town as polling booths open on Thursday morning.
Everybody waits for the other to make the first move, and then to see if the retribution will come swiftly, brutally; as morning makes way for forenoon and peace reigns, ones and twos turn into small groups and by 1pm every booth sees clusters of people.
Democracy wins.
Gadchiroli may live under the shadow of Naxalites, but it’s amply safe on voting day, especially with the police and reserve forces on high alert. Moreover, with Bastar just 100 kilometres away in adjoining Chattisgarh, the rebels are expected to be more active where the movement is at its fiercest.
“Is it safe to go into the interiors?” one asks tentatively, having been warned the previous day itself: Stay on the main roads, and you will have nothing to worry about.
Almost everybody smiles indulgently and responds: “Of course, you can go. Quite safe.”
Then comes the punchline: “But then you never know. Anything can happen.”