5 poll officials hurt in Dantewada landmine blast

Six persons, including five election officials on their way to panchayat polls, were injured in a blast when the vehicle they were traveling in fell to a landmine blast in Orissa'a Dantewada district on Sunday, said the police.

None of the injuries was serious in nature and the polling officials and the bus driver were taken to a hospital and treated. The blast occurred at approximately 7 am near Mokpal village, when the officials were on their way to election duty, said Dantewada Superintendent of Police Amrish Mishra.

Security has been tightened in the Maoist-infested area following the incident, which will not affect the election process, he said.

Adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure Maoists do not cause disruptions during the panchayat polls, which is being held across the state, Mishra said.