Patna: At least one person was killed and
altogether 1053 people were arrested following sporadic incidents of violence today during the 8th phase of panchayat elections in Bihar which witnessed 62 per cent polling.
Additional Director General of Police Rajbardhan Sharma
told reporters here that a person was killed in exchange of
fire between two rival groups at Turk Telka village in Arwal
district.
A havildar identified as Kishori Das died of cardiac
arrest at Tajpur in Samastipur district during the poll.
Police opened fire to quell crowds at Aurangabad,
Naugachia and Nawada for trying to disturb polling during the
day. None was, however, injured in the firing.
There were reports of clashes from few more places but
police soon controlled the situation, he said.
He said altogether 1053 persons, including four mukhiya
and zila parishad candidates were arrested to ensure free and
peaceful poll.
Police seized 177 vehicles, Rs 29,200 in cash and 16
mobile phone sets from different places, besides six firearms,
79 cartridges, two bombs and 5 detonators from different
places in Bhojpur, Gaya and Nawada districts, he said.
In the eighth phase election to 26,642 posts of gram
panchayat mukhiyas, members, gram kutchery sarpanchs, panchas,
panchayat samiti member and district board members were held
during the day.
Polling was held at 12090 polling stations to decide
the fate of 86899 candidates spread over 58 blocks in 34
districts.
Around 50 lakh voters were eligible for the polling, official
sources said.
PTI
