Editor's Pick: Chhattisgarh witness 71% turnout in Phase-I, Mizoram 75% in solo phase

Kickstarting what can be read as a semi-final for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Mizoram voted to elect candidates in all its 40 assembly seats while Chhattisgarh concluded its first phase of voting on Tuesday. The latter was marred by sporadic violence. Incumbent Chief Minister of the state Bhupesh Baghel alleged that certain Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had threatened voters against exercising their franchise. Encounters were reported between the police and the Maoists in Sukma, Narayanpur and Kanker districts of the Bastar region. Two jawans sustained injuries in a gun battle in Sukma’s Minpa area. Voting there was being held for the first time. Further, polling stations were set up in 126 villages in seven districts affected by Left Wing Extremism where voting was being held for the first time since Independence, the EC said. Unrelatedly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the government of Chhattisgarh of failing to contain Naxalism. He held that whenever the Congress government comes to power at the Centre, Naxalites and terrorists get emboldened. He also targeted the incumbent Chief Minister over the alleged Mahadev betting app scam and other accusations of corruption. Separately, Mr Bhagel said the BJP had already accepted defeat and was utilising agencies to target Opposition leaders. He remarked the agencies would take a short break and return to aid the party at the centre before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. At 4 p.m., Mizoram had recorded 76% polling. In Chhattisgarh, the turnout stood at 71% at 5 p.m. In Mizoram, Chief Minister Zormthanga had initially failed to exercise his franchise in the first attempt owing to an EVM malfunction. He was finally able to vote in the Aizwal North-II Assembly constituency. For all five States going to the polls this month — Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana — the counting of votes will be held on December 3. The Hindu’s Editorials Closer together: On the India-Bhutan talks and the plans ahead Cease fire: On the danger of Israel turning Gaza into an open prison on fire The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz The Sashastra Seema Bal is a border guarding force of India deployed along its borders with which country? China Sri Lanka Pakistan Nepal To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 08 November 2023 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( Chhattisgarh witness 71% turnout in Phase-I, Mizoram 75% in solo phase Kickstarting what can be read as a semi-final for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, [Mizoram voted to elect candidates in all its 40 assembly seats while Chhattisgarh concluded its first phase of voting]( on Tuesday. The latter was marred by sporadic violence. Incumbent Chief Minister of the state Bhupesh Baghel alleged that certain Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had threatened voters against exercising their franchise. Encounters were reported between the police and the Maoists in Sukma, Narayanpur and Kanker districts of the Bastar region. Two jawans sustained injuries in a gun battle in Sukma’s Minpa area. Voting there was being held for the first time. Further, polling stations were set up in 126 villages in seven districts affected by Left Wing Extremism where voting was being held for the first time since Independence, the EC said. Unrelatedly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the government of Chhattisgarh of failing to contain Naxalism. He held that whenever the Congress government comes to power at the Centre, Naxalites and terrorists get emboldened. He also targeted the incumbent Chief Minister over the alleged Mahadev betting app scam and other accusations of corruption. Separately, Mr Bhagel said the BJP had already accepted defeat and was utilising agencies to target Opposition leaders. He remarked the agencies would take a short break and return to aid the party at the centre before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.  At 4 p.m., Mizoram had recorded 76% polling. In Chhattisgarh, the turnout stood at 71% at 5 p.m. In Mizoram, Chief Minister Zormthanga had initially failed to exercise his franchise in the first attempt owing to an EVM malfunction. He was finally able to vote in the Aizwal North-II Assembly constituency. For all five States going to the polls this month — Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana — the counting of votes will be held on December 3. The Hindu’s Editorials [Arrow][Closer together: On the India-Bhutan talks and the plans ahead]( [Arrow][Cease fire: On the danger of Israel turning Gaza into an open prison on fire]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz The Sashastra Seema Bal is a border guarding force of India deployed along its borders with which country? - China - Sri Lanka - Pakistan - Nepal To know the answer and to play the full quiz, [click here.]( [Sign up for free]( Today’s Best Reads [[The problem with the ‘70 hours a week’ line] The problem with the ‘70 hours a week’ line]( [[Proposal to rename Aligarh to be sent to Uttar Pradesh government] Proposal to rename Aligarh to be sent to Uttar Pradesh government]( [[In 4 days, 9,200 challans issued for breaching pollution norms in Delhi] In 4 days, 9,200 challans issued for breaching pollution norms in Delhi]( [[How are the MiG-21 fighter jets being phased out? | Explained] How are the MiG-21 fighter jets being phased out? | Explained]( Copyright @ 2023, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. 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