Daltonganj by-poll begins amidst tight security

Daltonganj, Jun 2: The by-election to the Daltonganj Assembly seat began here today amidst tight security.

About 16 companies of para-military forces and 31 of state police had been deployed in this naxal-dominated area.

In all 12 magistrates had been deployed to maintain law and order in the urban areas, official sources said.

Besides, arrangements of two helicopters had been made for ariel survey.

About 2,53,695 electorate are expected to cast their votes in 241 polling booths.

Altogether 24 candidates are in the fray, considered as an 'acid test' for former Assembly Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari.

According to political analysts, the main contest would be between Mr Namdhari (Independent) and Mr Anil Chaurasia of the All Jharkhand Students Union.

Besides, Ms Neelu Mishra of JD(U), Mr K N Tripathi of Congress and Mr Bobby Khan from the Bahujan Samaj Party are trying to make their presence felt.

The by-election was necessitated after Mr Namdhari, a former JD(U) leader, resigned from the Daltonganj Assembly seat following intra-party conflict.

UNI

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