The Rupauli Assembly segment has an ensanguined history of agrarian strife and mayhem. The extremely poor condition of roads makes the area inaccessible, making it a safe haven for criminals. And it is a nightmare for law-abiding citizens as well as cops to come out once dusk settles.
"Criminals and gangsters are the byproducts of ruthless exploitation by a handful of landlords," said septuagenarian C Prakash (name changed). Bihar's biggest landlords belong to this area, he added. A dreaded self-styled outfit, North Bihar Liberation Army, is led by Shankar Singh. He is the LJP nominee, seeking re-election.
He wrested this seat from RJD candidate Bima Bharti, by a margin of 6,113 votes in February polls. His dream to leave behind his criminal past and dominate the political arena was shattered with the dissolution of the House. Singh, who is facing a plethora of criminal charges, is currently incarcerated in Purnia jail and monitors his campaign from there.
Giving him the challenge is the spouse of dreaded gangster Awdhesh Mandal, Bima Bharti. She had won Rupauli as an Independent in 2000, but soon joined the RJD. She contested the last polls on RJD ticket, but was defeated. Mandal is lodged in Madhepura jail. "She is on firmer ground now," said RJD worker Anil Yadav.
