Five killed in Naxal attack

The second phase of polling,which otherwise went off peacefully,was marred by post-poll violence when four cops and a poll official....

The second phase of polling,which otherwise went off peacefully,was marred by post-poll violence when four cops and a poll official were killed in a landmine blast triggered by Naxalites at Devaria under Muzaffarpur district when they were returning in a vehicle after the polling. A Sub-Inspector,a constable and two homeguards were among the cops who were killed.

Police said the incident took place around 6.45 pm when the four policemen,and as many election officials,were returning to Muzaffarpur in a Tata 407. As they were crossing Karpoori Chowk of Mohabbatpur village,110 km from here,a landmine explosion partly blew up the vehicle.

ADGP Neelmani said: We have heard about five casualties,including that of a Sub-Inspector of the Bihar Police. We have sent police teams to the spot. Muzaffarpur SP Sudhanshu Kumar also confirmed five casualties.

Earlier,the second phase of polling in 13 Bihar constituencies had gone without any major violence,except for an incident of stone pelting at the media in Hajipur and a landmine blast at Motihari which left two electoral officials injured.

Meanwhile,the harvesting season along with rising temperatures and general disinterest of voters meant only 44 per cent polling was recorded in the second phase as against 46 per cent in the first phase. Muzaffarpur saw highest polling percentage of 52,while most constituencies had 42 per cent polling.

Just when we thought everything had gone off peacefully,the Devaria incident left us shocked, said Neelmani.

The ADGP said the Bihar Police and Central forces should still be lauded for preventing any poll violence in the eight Naxal-hit blocks that went to the polls on Thursday. Vaishali district administration has issued an arrest warrant against JDU candidate Munna Shukla for his alleged involvement in unfair polling at two booths.

Santosh Singh

Santosh Singh is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express since June 2008. Expertise He covers Bihar with main focus on politics, society and governance. Investigative and explanatory stories are also his forte. Singh has 25 years of experience in print journalism covering Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. ... Read More