Patna, May 12: At least two persons were killed and over a dozen others injured in different incidents of violence during the eighth round of election to local bodies in Bihar today. An estimated 61.82 per cent polling was recorded.
Additional director-general of police (ADGP) (headquarters) Rajbardhan Sharma confirmed the death of one person in an exchange of fire between two rival groups of people at Turk Telka village under Karpi police station in Arwal district. The deceased has been identified as Amarnath Sharma.
Another person was murdered in Nakta diara under Digha police station in Patna district. At least four persons sustained bullet injuries in a violent clash between two groups of people outside a polling station. Later, one of them identified as Dinesh Yadav succumbed to injuries. DGP Neel Mani said Patna district magistrate and the SSP visited the village and arrested five persons, including three candidates.
A havildar, identified as Kishori Das, died of cardiac arrest at a polling station under Tajpur block in Samastipur district. The police had to open fire at three places in Aurangabad, Nawada and Naugachhia (police) districts. At least four persons were injured when the supporters of two rival candidates opened fire outside a polling station in Nakta diara in Patna rural.
According to Election Commission sources, the eighth phase was held at 12,090 polling stations under 58 blocks in 34 districts. Purnea recorded the highest turnout of the voters with 78 per cent people exercising their franchise, while Nawada recorded the lowest with only 47 per cent polling reported from the district.
Reports reaching the state Election Commission office said the police had to open 10 rounds in the air to quell a mob indulging in stone pelting, firing and attack on a police team near a polling station under Nabi Nagar police station in Aurangabad district. A home guard jawan, Satyendra Singh, was injured in the stone pelting.
Two persons sustained injuries in the melee following the police firing.
The election commissioner said that another incident of police firing was reported from Nawada district where a group of supporters of a mukhiya candidate, Bachchu Manjhi, attacked the security personnel.
The body guard of the sub-divisional police officer of Rajauli, Vinay Kumar Singh, and another policeman were injured in stone pelting.
The police had to fire eight rounds in the air to disperse the troublemakers, the election commissioner said, adding that no one was injured in the firing.
The police resorted to firing at Saduataper diara in Naugachhia police district to foil attempts of criminals to disrupt the poll process at polling station number 6. A home guard jawan deputed at the polling station was assaulted by criminals.
DGP Neel Mani said altogether 1,053 persons were arrested in the state. The police seized six weapons, 79 cartridges, two bombs, five detonators, 177 vehicles, Rs 29,600 apart from 16 cellphones.
