Sixth phase Panchayat election peaceful, 60 per cent turnout

Patna, May 30 (UNI) Barring minor incidents, the sixth phase of Bihar Panchayat election ended on a peaceful note today with an estimated 60 per cent of 50,32,159 voters exercising their franchise.

State Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Anil Kumar Sinha told newspersons here that the sixth phase covered 855 Panchayats under 55 block areas in 37 districts. He said 63 companies (CRPF 43, BSF-20) of central para military forces were deployed for the poll.

Mr Sinha said 1130 people, 348 alone in Banka district, were arrested from different places of the state on charges of disturbing poll process.

He said four country-made pistols and 12 cartridges in Patna district, one pistol and 303 bore cartridge in Nawada district, three country made rifles in Sitamarhi district, five pistols and five cartridges in Munger district, an US make telescopic rifle, one double barrel regular gun and a rifle in Gaya district, four muscats and 32 cartridges in Jamui district were recovered during the poll.

Meanwhile, a Gaya report quoting police superintendent Dr Amit Kumar Jain said that the police opened fire at Saraunji village under Bathani police station in the district when booth grabbers tried to indulge in rigging. No body was injured in the incident. Later, the police recovered three sophisticated firearms at the spot.

In this connection, 16 booth grabbers were rounded up, Mr Jain said, adding that 36 habitual offenders and law breakers were arrested on charges of disrupting poll process in the district.

The police had to fire two rounds at Nakta Diyara village under Digha police station in Patna district to scare away trouble makers.

UNI DH SP SHB VC1925