From Terror to Ballot: How Chormara Village in Bihar Celebrates Its First Peaceful Election After 25 Years of Maoist Control

New Delhi:

The small village of Chormara in Bihar's Jamui district is preparing to participate in the second phase of the Assembly election. However, the significant story here isn't about the election itself, but rather about the act of voting.

For the residents of Chormara, this democratic process—often taken for granted elsewhere in the state—represents something novel and extraordinary. After more than 25 years of violence and bloodshed, the people can finally vote in peace.

For decades, this entire region remained under Maoist control, isolated from the outside world. Death and murder were commonplace occurrences, with locals—especially women and children—rarely venturing outside their homes due to the pervasive atmosphere of terror.

Today, following the deployment of central government forces, the situation has dramatically transformed.

The village school, once bombed by insurgents, will now serve as a polling station where villagers will cast their votes.

Home Minister Amit Shah addressed this progress in various election campaign speeches and public meetings in recent months, dating back to November last year, when he declared that "the Prime Minister Modi-led government will wipe out Naxalism from India by March 2026."

Shah had offered support to rebel fighters, promising, "We will help you in whatever way we can through our welfare measures in jobs, healthcare and other areas."

Previously, Chormara's residents had to travel nearly 22 kilometers—to a government school in Barhat administrative block—to vote, a journey fraught with fear.

Today, polling station number 220 has been established at the Chormara Primary School. In a powerful act of defiance, voting will take place in the same school that Maoists once bombed. Since being rebuilt, this facility will serve as the location where villagers will exercise their democratic right on Tuesday.

The Chormara school has been designated as polling station 220.

NDTV's Tejshree Purandare interviewed Sanjay Koda, son of Baleshwar Koda, the Maoist commander who once ruled this area with terror. Today, his son is helping prepare the polling booth.

"Yes, my own father was a Maoist commander. There was extreme terror in the village. Everyone feared him—even I was afraid because we never knew who would be killed next," he admitted.

"Today we are very happy. I am personally preparing the polling booth for the election."

Baleshwar Koda's daughter-in-law now serves as a teacher at the Chormara school.

Women voters express particular relief at the end of Maoist terror.

"Yes, we lived in terror. My father-in-law was a Maoist commander but he surrendered and was imprisoned. Now we will cast our votes tomorrow. It feels like nothing less than a festival," she shared.

Koda's wife echoed these sentiments, telling NDTV, "The police also used to trouble us considerably. We never anticipated this change, but now it's happening. I will vote tomorrow, accompanied by my children."

"We will vote for the first time, and we are extremely excited," she declared.

The joy extends beyond just the Koda family.

Female voters shared horrific stories of the past with NDTV, including times when they fled their homes out of fear. Today, they welcome the development of roads, water supply, and electricity, crediting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's government for these improvements.

The village's eldest resident, who clearly remembers the dark period of Maoist control, told NDTV that rebels had dominated the entire area. "People were abducted at night without warning... children were forced to join their ranks... and families lived in constant fear."

He recounted witnessing at least 10 people being shot dead, described gruesome stories of bodies being dismembered, and spoke of men and women being forced to fight against the government.

"But today, people who fled are starting to return. An election is taking place here after almost 30 years, and the entire village feels hopeful again."

This is not to suggest, however, that all danger has been eliminated.

CRPF personnel deployed in the area remain vigilant to ensure peaceful voting.

Central Reserve Police Force personnel informed NDTV that although the village has been classified as 'Maoist-free,' security forces maintain high alert. Every corner of the village has been secured to ensure Tuesday's voting (and subsequent elections) can proceed safely and smoothly.

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