2 killed in 8th phase of Bihar panchayat polls

Two persons were killed in Thursday's violence-marred eighth phase of panchayat polls in Bihar that witnessed an estimated 59 per cent voters' turn out even as 1,053 persons were taken into preventive custody for poll-related offences.

Additional Director General of Police Rajbardhan Sharma told mediapersons that one Amar Nath Sharma was killed in an exchange of fire between two rival groups of Turk Telka village under Bansi police station in Arwal district.

In another incident, Dinesh Yadav was killed and another person injured in firing between the supporters of two mukhiya candidates in Nakta diara locality under Digha police station area of Patna district, he said.

Yadav, who sustained bullet injuries, died in the hospital during treatment, Sharma said, adding that the injured person was admitted in a hospital.

Elections to 26,642 posts of gram panchayat mukhiyas, members, gram kutchery sarpanchs, panchas, panchayat samiti member and district board members in Bihar were held on Thursday.

Sharma further said a havildar, Kishori Das, died of cardiac arrest at Tajpur in Samastipur district. He said that altogether 1,053 persons, including four Mukhiya and Zila Parishad candidates were arrested to ensure free and peaceful polls.

Police had to open fire to quell crowds at Aurangabad, Naugachia and Nawada who tried to disturb polling during the day, he said.

None was, however, injured in the firing, Neelmani claimed, adding, there were reports of clashes from Nawada and a few more places but police soon controlled the situation.

Police seized 177 vehicles, besides Rs 29,200 cash and 16 mobile sets at different places. Besides, police also seized six firearms, 79 cartridges, two bombs and 5 detonators from different places in Bhojpur, Gaya and Nawada districts, he said.

Polling was held at 12,090 polling stations to decide the electoral fate of 86,899 candidates in 58 blocks in 34 districts. Around 50 lakh voters were eligible for polling on Thursday, official sources said.