Jharkhand: 55 per cent polling in third phase

Suspected Maoists killed a Border Security Force jawan as the third of the five-phase polling for 11 assembly constituencies registered about 50 to 55 per cent turnout in Jharkhand on Tuesday.

The jawan was killed when suspected Maoists fired at a BSF patrol near Sarasdangal forest in Dumka district, Inspector General of Police, V H Desmukh said. One police constable suffered bullet wounds in his stomach and he was hospitalised.

Polling for the 11 seats registered about 50 to 55 per cent turnout, election office sources said. Altogether 237 candidates, including 115 Independents, were in the fray.

Former Chief Minister Stephen Marandi of the Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief, Shibu Soren's son Hemant who is a Rajya Sabha member, former ministers Nalin Soren of the JMM), Samresh Singh of the Jharkhand Vikas Manch-Prajatantrik, Sita Soren, widow of Shibu Soren's eldest son Durga Soren were among the prominent candidates.

The fourth phase of polling is scheduled for December 12 while the fifth and final round will be on December 18. Counting will be on December 23.