After boycott,Maoists trigger blast at Jhargram,kill 3

Soon after West Bengals Chief Electoral Officer Debasish Sen briefed the media on Thursday that election in the state has not been as bloody as was expected,a remote mine blast triggered by Maoists blew off a vehicle carrying district administration staff near Jamboni under Jhargram Lok Sabha constituency. The blast killed at least three government employees. The identity of those killed is yet to be established.

There was a boycott call given by the Maoists in the region. In the morning,there was a minor mine blast in Biramdih under Purulia Lok Sabha constituency,injuring a BSF jawan. Maoists were suspected to be responsible for the blast.

CEO Debasish Sen said polling in 14 Lok Sabha constituencies on Thursday recorded 64 per cent turnout about 10 per cent lower than 2004 Lok Sabha and 2006 state Assembly polls. Eight constituencies in North Bengal and six in South Bengal went for poll on Thursday.

TMC,Congress,and a section of CPIM leaders said scorching heat led to low turnout,but many disagreed.