Voters show their ID cards at Phulkia primary school at Ghogha village in Bhagalpur district on Sunday. Picture by Amit Kumar

Patna, April 24: The second phase of panchayat elections in Bihar today witnessed sporadic incidents of firing, group clashes and booth capture. While one person was killed, over a dozen others, including a few policemen, were injured in different incidents of violence.

According to the state election commission sources, the voters’ turnout in the second phase of elections was 58.8 per cent. State election commissioner J.K. Dutta said Kaimur recorded the highest polling with 68 per cent casting their votes. The lowest turnout— 44 per cent — was recorded in Nawada.

Following the violence, the Election Commission has ordered repolling at 126 booths. Dutta said repolling would be conducted on May 20 at six polling stations in Patna, two in Rohtas, seven in Gaya, four in Nawada, one in Aurangabad, four in Muzaffarpur, two in East Champaran, five in Banka, 17 in Samastipur, three in Madhubani, 23 in Madhepura, five in Purnea, 22 in Katihar and 15 in Jamui district.

The election commission has ordered immediate transfer of Banka sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Ramashankar Rai on charges of dereliction of duty. “The commission has asked the government to shift the SDPO immediately,” Dutta said.

According to information available at the election commission office in Patna, one person was killed in a violent clash between two groups at Chiknotwa village in Madhubani district. The deceased has been identified as Jageshwar Yadav (40).

At least four other persons were injured in the clash. The injured have been admitted to a government hospital.

Dutta said the incident occurred after the poll ended. The police had to open fire to disperse a group of people trying to grab booth number 63 at Nayagaon in Munger district. Two men were arrested in connection with the incident. A policeman deputed at the polling station suffered injuries in the stone-pelting, which led to the police firing. No casualty was reported in the firing.

The police also opened fire at Piprahi in Sheohar district.

Incidents of firing by supporters of rival candidates were reported from Munger, Samastipur, Saharsa, Sheikhpura, Jehanabad, East Champaran and Aurangabad. There were reports of ballot papers being torn at Vaishali and Patna.