Shoot-at-sight ordered for Bihar 2nd phase polls

PATNA, FEB 16: Shoot-at-sight orders have been issued and paramilitary forces were staging flag marches in Bihar, marred by poll violence, where polling is being held for 108 constituencies tomorrow along with 70 seats in Orissa in the second phase of assembly elections.

Polling for by-elections to Bellary and Kanauj parliamentary constituencies and 30 assembly seats spread over 11 states is also being held in the second phase.

A high alert has been sounded and shoot-at-sight orders against booth grabbers was being supplemented by extra-precautions to ensure a quot;violence-free and trouble-freequot; polling in the extremist-hit constituencies of Bihar, where over 20 people died in the first phase of elections on February 12.

Patrolling has been intensified and para-military forces were staging flag marches.