Panel demanding justice for Sowjanya launches 'NOTA' campaign in DK, Udupi for LS polls
Mangaluru: The Sowjanyapara Horata Samiti, which is fighting for justice for rape and murder victim Sowjanya has launched a 'NOTA' campaign, said President Girish Mattannavar, warning political parties that the activists in the group would opt for 'NOTA' (None Of The Above) instead of favouring the party candidates in the Lok Sabha elections this year.
Mattannavar told reporters at the Press Club in Mangaluru on Friday that the panel was demanding justice in several cases of crime especially against women committed across Karnataka, in addition to the crime against Sowjanya in Dharmasthala of Belthangady taluk. Pointing out that the judiciary too has stressed on the importance of spreading awareness among voters about the NOTA option, he called upon the Election Commission as well as the voters to support the campaign conducted by the committee.
While the Election Commission has limited the amount carried by an individual in person to Rs 50,000, the members of the Sangh Parivar are still collecting lakhs of rupees under the pretext of collecting interest over money lent to the people. It is important for the Election Commission to look into this matter, Mattannavar urged.
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Panel leader Prasanna Ravi said during the press meet that the NOTA campaign would be held in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. A NOTA awareness meeting would also be held in Sullia on April 24 for the benefit of the voters, he added.
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Crossing river, trekking hill voters reach polling booths to cast vote in Surguja LS constituency
Balrampur/Chhattisgarh (PTI): Enthusiastic voters reached polling booths trekking steep hilly paths, crossing a river and even on a horse to cast their votes in remote areas of the tribal-dominated Balrampur district in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, officials said.
Balrampur district falls under the Surguja Lok Sabha constituency which was among seven seats where polling was held in third and last phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state. The Surguja Lok Sabha recorded 74.59 per cent voting, as per the Turnout application.
Voters, belonging to Pahadi Korva, a particularly vulnerable tribal group, including Rajesh, Madan, Sukhu, Gopal and Nandlal, crossed a river to exercise their franchise at a polling booth in village panchayat Amera under the Samri assembly constituency, a government official said.
Similarly, electors, including Lakhan Nagesia, Sahu, Phulsai and Kalesh of Bachwar village under the Ramanujganj assembly constituency walked through hilly terrain for about two hours covering 8 kms to reach a polling booth and cast their vote, he said. A voter, Parimal Dey, reached a polling booth in Sagarpur village under the Ramanujganj assembly seat on a horse, the official said. Dey is a cattle rearer who owns 150 goats.
Two hyper sensitive polling booths -- Chunchuna and Pundag -- located in a Naxal-affected area of the district which shares border with Jharkhand, also recorded significant turnout, he said. The two booths are located in the Samri assembly constituency.
"Special security arrangements were put in place in this area to ensure peaceful voting. Voters of Chunchuna and Pudang ensured their participation in the great festival of democracy braving Naxalite threat," he said. The Chunchuna polling booth has 767 voters and it recorded 84.35 per cent turnout, while Pundag has 595 electors and it registered a turnout of 72.44 per cent till 5 pm, the official added.
