Ranchi: Two BSF jawans were killed by
Maoists, who had given a poll boycott call, during the third
of the five-phase polling for 11 seats in the 81-member
Jharkhand assembly which registered 50-55 per cent turn out
on Tuesday.
The rebels fired at a BSF patrol party near
Sarasdangal forest in Dumka district killing two jawans of the
security force`s 137 battalion at the fag end of polling,
Inspector General of Police, V H Desmukh said.
While one died on the spot, another succumbed to his
injuries in hospital. The deceased were identified as head
constable Dharamvir Singh and constable Dinesh Sharma.
"About 50 to 55 per cent polling has been recorded
during the day," an Election Commission official said.
Altogether 237 candidates, including 115 Independents,
were in the fray.
Former Chief Minister Stephen Marandi (Cong), JMM
chief Shibu Soren`s son Hemant who is a Rajya Sabha member,
former ministers Nalin Soren (JMM), Samresh Singh (JVM-P) and
Sita Soren, widow of Shibu Soren`s eldest son Durga Soren were
among prominent candidates.
The fourth phase of polling is scheduled on December
12 and the fifth and final round will be held on December 18.
Results will be announced on December 23.
PTI
