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He was the first to vote at a polling booth in Jharkhand. But for his small democratic act, Jeevanlal Mahto met a grisly end - shot, decapitated and his severed head displayed as a warning to others by Maoist rebels.
Police said the 25-year-old youth was killed Tuesday in Tigrakala village of Giridih district - about 230 km from here - for defying the Maoist poll boycott call even as the state held its third and final round of polling Wednesday.
Mahto was apparently the first person to caste his vote in his village Feb 3 in the first phase of polls.
On Tuesday, he was at the village market when five people appeared on two bikes and caught him by his hair, saying: "How did you dare to vote. You are a police informer."
According to eyewitnesses, he was first shot and then another Maoist rebel beheaded him with a sharp edged weapon. The guerrillas roamed in the market with the head in their hand and later left it on the road, police said.
The killing has created panic among those who voted despite the boycott call by the Maoists.
The first two phases of elections were held in Maoist-dominated districts Feb 3 and Feb 15. The polling percentage was 50 to 60 percent in both phases, irking the rebels.
Senior officials and security forces are camping in the area to boost the confidence of people who have been scared by the killing.
Maoist guerrillas are active in
16 of the 22 districts of the state. Nearly 515 people, including 210 security
personnel, have been killed since creation of the state in November 2000.
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