Tag: district-administration

At least five feared dead in Jharkhand’s Chaibasa following clash over ‘Patthalgadi’.

Source – newindianexpress.com

RANCHI: At least five persons were reportedly killed at Buru Gulikera village under Sonua Police Station of Chaibasa in Jharkhand allegedly after a clash that took place among villagers during a meeting on ‘Patthalgadi’ on Sunday.

Though there is no official confirmation in this regard, senior officials in district administration claimed that they have strong inputs that at least five villagers of Buru Gulikera have been killed following a violent clash between two groups.

According to the sources, the clash took place between ‘Patthalgadi’ supporters and those who were against it, while documents like Aadhaar and Voter Identity cards were being collected by ‘Patthalgadi’ activists following a heated exchange leading to the killing of at least five persons while some others are also said to be missing.

Collection of government documents was being done in the area for the last 10-15 days which was being opposed by some of the villagers which finally resulted in a violent clash between the two groups, it said.

Senior officials of the district administration have been camping near the village, but no dead body has been recovered while the report was being filed till late in the night on Tuesday.

“We have inputs that few people have been killed following a clash which took place during a meeting in Buru Gulikera village, but no dead body has been recovered so far. It is yet to ascertain who were the people who got killed and who killed them as none of the villagers are cooperating with the police,”
said Chaibasa Deputy Commissioner Arwa Rajkamal.

Notably, the area being left-wing extremism (LWE) affected, police are taking all precautions to reach out to the villagers as there are possibilities that the Maoists might have planted land mines on the way to the village.

Number of transgender voters witnesses 10 fold rise in Ranchi.

Source – dailypioneer.com

The population of transgender voters has increased by more than 10 times in Ranchi since the last Vidhan Sabha elections of 2014.

The total number of third gender voters in 2014 was merely 7, whereas in 2019 as of on November 21, the total number of transgender voters registered in the electoral roll is 73.

“There has been a significant increase in the number of transgender voters since the 2014 Vidhan Sabha elections. This is primarily because of the various programmes launched for promotion of inclusive voting,” said District Election Officer cum Deputy Commissioner Rai Mahimapat Ray. After the judgment of the Supreme Court of India in NALSA versus Union of India in 2014, it has been established that a person by their own right can determine their gender and no medical or psychological tests will be required for the same.  Various sensitization drives across different levels and government officials have been conducted in Ranchi, to ensure that government offices are aware of such right — and assure ease and respectfulness to all persons applying for official change in their name or gender. The district administration has also launched special drives right down to the booth level officer to include the names of transgender voters in the electoral roll. 

Activities under SVEEP (Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation) are also being conducted in specific areas with high transgender registrations for voter awareness and electoral participation. “The events are being organised in areas where the booths have maximum enrollment of transgender voters. All posters for voter awareness programmes also have icons encouraging them to come out and cast their vote for inclusive voting.

This is being done to make everyone feel a part of the whole process and no one is left behind. The aim is to give a message that voting is for all regardless of the socio –economic background one belongs to,” said an official.

At polling stations in areas with high transgender registrations, the administration is trying to sensitize the polling personnel as well. Special confidence building measures are also being taken including safe voting process.

The administration is also ensuring that the voters are not discriminated at the polling booths and no untoward incidents take place.

As per the statistics, the total number of voters registered in Ranchi are 22,83,482 which includes 11,76,245 male and 11,07,164 female voters. The total voters registered for the 2014 Vidhan Sabha elections were 19,11,227 which included 10,45,910 male and 8,65,310 female voters.