M F AHMAD
Daltonganj, May 31: Palamu civil and police administrations are on alert for the post counting scenario.
Like other places, victory processions are taken out here with a difference. There have been instances of ‘Harsh Firing’ (celebratory firing by firearms) and it has often led to chasms and clashes between the victor and the vanquished.
Panki, Tarhassi and Manatu blocks have a notoriety to it as the joy of victory is sometimes meant to make inroads into the dignity of the defeated.
The counting of votes which started today involves these 3 blocks besides others too. Votes polled at 1,707 booths in the third and fourth phases are to be counted.
Notably, the third phase and fourth phases of polling have been outstanding polling crossing the 70 percent mark in Palamu.
Over 70 percent of polled votes out of the total voters of 6 lakh 33 thousand and more matter much for the administration.
Sources said any rapturous firing in the air by the supporters of the victors is seen as a jeering to the supporters of the defeated.
Immediate retaliatory history of post counting is in good numbers in Palamu.
The second factor that causes a clash between the supporters of the victors and the vanquished is the exploding of the high sounding crackers.
Crackers are exploded in plenty and sometimes with the mischievous intent in the areas or the localities where either live the vanquished or live the supporters of the defeated candidates.
Throwing of the abeer gulal (colours) even on those who dislike it has triggered problems here in the post counting and post result days.
A civil society activist belonging to the minority community refusing to be identified said, “Our youths are on guard if any anti-social element raises anti-government slogan or pro foreign country slogan in the procession all to tarnish and devastate.”
Palamu has a long history of counter explosions sometimes getting far worse than the first one.
Results of the first phase and second phase of polling were out and now all eyes are on the third and fourth phase, the counting of votes of which has started today and is expected to last for two more days.
Sources said the counting of votes may extend further if demands of recounting are granted by the concerned election officials.
Palamu DC Shashi Ranjan and SP Chandan Kumar Sinha have asked everyone to respect the poll verdict and refrain from any aberration.
Sources said the administration has warned the mischief mongers of dire consequences if public tranquillity is undermined.
There has been adequate security set up at the counting venue in Daltonganj. SDPO Surjit Kumar said he is camping there.
“We have put in around 500 cops in and around the counting venue with door frame metal detector and hand held metal detector frisking everyone there,” the Palamu SP said.
