Fourth phase Panchayat election peaceful, 60 per cent turnout

Patna, May 24 (UNI) The fourth phase of Bihar Panchayat election ended on a peaceful note today with an estimated 60 per cent of 59,79,406 voters exercising their franchise.

State Home Secretary Afzal Amanullah told newspersons here that the fourth phase covered 952 Panchayats under 67 block areas in 38 districts. He said 63 companies (CRPF 43, BSF -20) of central para military forces were deployed for the poll.

Mr Amanuallah said 879 people, 197 alone in Banka district, were arrested from different places of the state on charges of disturbing poll process.

He said a country-made pistol and six cartridges in Darbhanga district, two rifles and eight cartridges in Gaya district, two country-made pistols in Arwal district, a country-made pistol and three cartridges in Kishanganj district, a rifle, a pistol, a bomb and 40 cartridges were recovered in Jamui district.

He said polling was cancelled at booth number 30 in Sheikhpura district and booth numbers 7 and 8 at Sirdala village in Nawada district for various reasons.

He admitted that women folk looted polling booths and indulged in other riggings during the earlier phases of the Panchayat election.

Meanwhile, Mr Amanullah said special task forces had been formed to eliminate major criminal gangs through routine legal process like arrest, attachment of their properties and other available means.

UNI DH SJC MSJ KN2103