Ranchi: Even before birds are back in their nests, men and women go indoors. After 5 pm, when darkness is still to cover the area, not even a single bicycle is seen on the roads of Latehar. The dense forests of Latehar hide ghastly secrets.
To everyone Naxals are 'otherworldly' creatures. No one can dispel the fear of Naxals that has diluted even the colour of politics during elections in Latehar.
"Yahan chunav ka rang dikh nahi raha" is the first reaction that any outsider has after entering the region - be it the paramilitary forces or media persons.
The campaigns are carried either on foot or on motorcycles and that too by a very small number of political workers. The roads are not safe for big cavalcades and movement is extremely restricted.
Local police prefer to remain inside their barricaded stations. Even media vans have to face mandatory security checking which can extended from a few minutes to well over an hour. Entering without a permit is strict no-no.
Nobody knows where and when Naxals will trigger a landmine. Every inch of jungle roads is wired with detonators and explosives, fear locals as well as security forces tasked with sanitising the area.
There is no freedom from the grip of fear. Every local here has had that spooky experience - encounter with Gabbar Singh-like figures. What are the chances that the man who just passed by is not a Naxal or an informer? No one has the answer.
The heavy security arrangement is to protect you, and warn you as well. "They are widespread. Don't come too close to them. They are the reality. They are Naxals."
Imagine the fear. A group of a dozen people appear near the district headquarters to campaign for a candidate, without any banner or party flags. They have made teams at block-level to campaign for the Assembly polls, all too silent and too scared.
Though no other issue can subdue the severity of this fear, some voices came amidst the silence. They give an insight into the real necessities of the region that is going to vote on November 25 and bring out hope that voters have from their candidates.
Education:
This region is represented by o BJP MLA and former education minister Baidyanath Ram. Ironically, there's no degree college in the whole region. After Intermediate/ Class 12, boy and girls either migrate to other places for education or drop out of school.
"Even education minister's daughter and son have failed their class 12th board examinations," a local mocked.
"One major problem with schools here is that para-teachers here who get Rs 5,500 per month have hired junior teachers and pay them Rs 1,500 to avoid visiting schools," said another local.
Employment:
There is no employment avenue here except for the Sikni coal project that was restarted only in May 2014c by the Hemant Soren government.
Health:
"Health centres are like abandoned buildings. If you find a medical staff during emergency, you are lucky," said a local.
Migration:
Fear of Naxals, joblessness, lack of schools and no college in the area has forced people to migrate to other parts of the state and country.
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