Daltonganj/ Latehar, Dec. 18: They came and liked what they saw, but central paramilitary personnel were glad that the time had come to go back to their families after a month of poll duty in Jharkhand.

Many had heard horror stories of Naxalite attacks but their stay was surprisingly peaceful. “The polls were by and large uneventful. There were sporadic incidents of violence but none were big enough to demoralise forces. Now, I am ready to return to my unit,” said head constable Sudesh Pal of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Pal, a resident of Meerut district in Uttar Pradesh, is set to return to his original posting at NTPC’s unit at Angul district of Orissa before going back home. Pal was deputed at Godda, Hazaribagh and Palamau district during the five-phase polls in Jharkhand.

Security personnel deputed at Borsidag Middle School in Chandwa, Amjharia Ghati connecting Latehar district with Lohardaga, Tarwadih Middle School and Banbirwa Middle School in Manika were also relieved. The happiest among them, however, were jawans of 131 CRPF battalion deputed at Banbirwa Middle School, located in a Maoist den, about 110km from the state capital and about 10km from Latehar town.

A Patna jawan admitted passing sleepless nights since November 14, ever since he took position in the school for poll duty. “Today we are feeling relaxed as elections at my booth ended peacefully. Though it is our duty to help the district administration maintain law and order, being posted here was like working in a war zone,” said the jawan.

Another jawan, standing 200m away, supported him. Keeping vigil with the help of binoculars, he said life would have difficult for him if villagers had not extended their co-operation.

“Though we got fresh vegetables to eat, we missed mental peace for more than a month,” the jawan added.

Quite a few Naga Force jawans contracted malaria and other diseases that created a panic in the armed forces. A Naga jawan also died of malarial jaundice in Ranchi.

JAP officer R. Mridha, who hails from Jharkhand, sounded a little wistful. “The CISF carry more sophisticated arms. They have better food and facilities whereas we have to fend for ourselves.”

Chainpur resident Pyare Chowdhary said the heavy security had ensured high polling in this rebel-hit village.

“Policewalon ne niyam se voting karwaya aur hamari suraksha ka pura khayal rakha. Tabhi hum aa sake vote dene (the police kept a strict watch on our security and that is why we braved the fear to come and cast votes).

Latehar superintendent of police Kuldeep Dwivedi said: “Not just the outsiders, even local policemen are happy. Ensuring peaceful polls here in Latehar was a challenge. Obviously, we are delighted that it’s over,” he said.

The jawans of central para military forces arrived in the state before November 25, the date for first phase of elections.