NEW DELHI: The Indian Army, in coordination with partner forces, conducted extensive operations to ensure participation in the Maharashtra assembly elections, even in the most remote and Maoist-affected regions, officials stated on Wednesday.
Between November 17 and 20, a total of 140 sorties were flown, spanning 77 hours, transporting 925 passengers and 8,385 kg of cargo. The elections took place on November 20, with results announced on November 23.
“The Indian Army has played a pivotal role in ensuring that even the remotest and Maoist-affected areas of Maharashtra participated in the assembly elections,” a senior army official noted.
To facilitate voting in these challenging areas, the army and other security forces “mobilised critical resources,” enabling voters to exercise their rights. The army deployed two Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) to strengthen air support for moving election officials and logistics, such as Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), to locations with limited surface connectivity, including those impacted by Maoism.
This joint effort ensured the smooth execution of the election process, even in inaccessible regions, according to the army.
From November 17 to 20, the forces conducted “140 sorties spanning over 77 hours, transporting 925 passengers and 8,385 kg of cargo,” the army stated. Of these, the Indian Army alone carried out 17 sorties, totaling about 22 flight hours and transporting 124 passengers. During the de-induction phase from November 20 to 21, the operations included 56 sorties over 23 hours, moving 408 passengers and 6,980 kg of cargo. The army contributed nine sorties during this phase, completing 10 flight hours and transporting 73 passengers.
“Notably, the army’s aviation helicopters facilitated the induction of election officials and EVMs from Wadsa to various hard-to-reach locations, including Sawargaon (165 km), Gyarapatti (70 km), Muramgaon (68 km), and Katezari (50 km) — areas severely impacted by the Maoist movement,” the official said.
These successful operations underscored the army’s vital role in supporting democratic processes, ensuring that citizens from even the most remote areas could participate in the elections, the official said.