Chhattisgarh: Locals hope for development in Naxal-hit areas

As top political leaders campaign in Chhattisgarh, the question is how easy it is to do so in the red corridor. IBN Network traveled across the volatile districts of Bastar and Dantewada to talk to voters amidst tight security. As the battle for Chhattisgarh heats up, national leaders including Congress President Sonia Gandhi and BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi campaigned in Naxal-affected Bastar. 

Two IEDs were found and diffused just hours before Sonia Gandhi spoke in Bastar. Salwa Judum founder and Congress leader Mahendra Karma was killed in a deadly Naxal attack. His wife is now a candidate. "We can't be scared if we have to win elections. We have to leave fear behind," said Devati Karma. Salwa Judum founder and Congress leader Mahendra Karma was killed in a deadly Naxal attack. His wife is now a candidate. Bastar has been turned into a militarised zone. Just this region has almost 1,20,000 security personnel.

 Lokesh Rana, CRPF, Assistant Commandent, Bastar, said, "We have provided enough security to ensure people are confident to come out and vote." As 18 Naxal-affected constituencies go to the polls, the locals only hope that development will be the winner.

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