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Separated by time, Siwan today is caught in a complex conundrum of change. An era is about to end even as a new one is invited. Mohammad Shahabuddin's 15 years of terror-filled fiefdom of Siwan seems to be sitting on the threshold of change. People are openly talking of elections, discussing possible poll results, giving their opinions on candidates, and above all not shying away from taking the name of their MP Saheb. Fear seems to have given way to hope.
While Shahabuddin has been extended for six months, two of the most upright officials in State have taken charge of the district. Ever since the officials promised to conduct free and fair polls in Siwan, the town is wearing a different look. Usually asleep by seven in the evening, Siwan is awake up till 9 at night. Even hotel rooms are difficult to come by these days.
"For the first time in the last 15 years Siwan looks like limping back towards being a normal town. Business is smooth and people can be seen on the roads even after eight at night", observes a local TV journalist. Campaign vehicles of parties other than the RJD's can be spotted across the narrow lanes and bylanes of Siwan. Unlike previous occasions, flags of different political candidates can be spotted atop town buildings, traffic thoroughfares and private vehicles. The changing face of Siwan has been seducing every journalist in these elections which promise to throw up interesting results.
"Just two officers have changed the profile of Siwan. Ever since they've come the town has got a voice and an ear," says RK Singh, a businessman. Taking note of the serious condition of Siwan, the Election Commission has recently ordered the State Government to depute upright officers like CK Anil and Ratan Sanjay as the new District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police respectively. Soon after assuming charge, both officers got into the act and successfully created an ambience of safety and security.
The SP arrested some hardened criminals including the notorious son of the heavyweight ruling party candidate from Maharajganj, Umashankar Singh. Jitendra Swami was arrested along with five of his men with a cache of arms and ammunition. He was later sent to jail. Similarly, candidates like Tarkeshwar Singh met a similar fate. The SP even made his cell number public to contact him directly with any information. The underworld dons have gone underground without losing a second.
The DM too did his bit. He first transferred Shahabuddin to Patna Beur Jail and when news came of his bail, he immediately issued orders to extern him for six months. Others like Prabhunath Singh, Vikram Kuer, Awadh Bihari Chaudhury too were barred from entering Siwan till the completion of elections.
Sexagenarian Kaushlya Devi, mother of slain student leader Chandrashekhar says, "Dono ko meri bacchi ki umar lag jaaye. Magar lagta nahi ki elections ke baad inko yahan rahne denge," (May God bless the two but it seems highly unlikely that they will be allowed to carry on in Siwan after the elections).
There is another facet of Siwan.
There is a siege within. Sixty thousand companies of central paramilitary
forces have been deployed in the district to ensure a free and fair
poll. The whole town has been converted into an Army cantonment.
Each and every hotel is booked, roads are peopled with military personnel
moving around with sophisticated arms and ammunition.
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