Jharkhand CM asks Chidambaram for more security during panchayat polls

NEW DELHI - Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda met Union Home Minister P Chidambaram here on Thursday to seek more security for the upcoming panchayat elections scheduled from November 27.

“I apprised the Home Minister about the situation in the State during my meeting. The village council elections are taking place after 30 years, I have requested him to provide us with adequate security for the polls,” said Munda after the meeting.

Munda said his Government supported the way in which the Central Government dealt with the Maoists, who have wreaked havoc in the tribal state.

“There is no difference of opinion about the roadmap devised by the Central Government to deal with the Maoists. It is dealing with the Maoists in two ways, one through development means and secondly, different mechanism for those who believe in violence. We are with the Central Government,” said Munda.

Mineral-rich Jharkhand, which was carved out of Bihar on November 15, 2000, has been the hotbed of rebel violence, with a string of attacks carried out against the police personnel in the recent months.

The five-phase panchayat polls will take place on November 27, December 6, December 13, December 20 and December 24. (ANI)