Jharkhand: Polling begins peacefully for by-election

Jamshedpur, Aug 29: Amidst tight security arrangements and boycott threat by Maoists, polling in 1,263 booths for by-election in Jamsedpur Loksabha constituency began peacefully this morning.

Reports from the Election Control Room here said the polling began at 0700 hours in slow pace and about 10 to 15 per cent voting was reported in the first half.

Reports from naxalite-affected Ghatshila Assembly constituency said about 10 per cent voters exercised their franchise while in Baharagora Assembly constituency adjacent to the Orissa border, the polling recorded was around 15 per cent.

Polling in a booth at Sonari area was delayed due to some problem in the electronic voting machines. However, it went on smoothly later.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Deputy Chief Minister Sudhir Mahto cast his vote at Kadma, official sources said.

Acting on a tip-off, police recovered two powerful can bombs at naxal-dominated Kashiabera village under Gudabandha police station yesterday.

Security was beefed up in the area following the recovery of the bombs, police said.

The distrcit administration pressed choppers into service to monitor the acitivities of the ultras.

Besides, 40 companies of para-millitary forces were deployed in naxal-dominated areas while the border with West Bengal was sealed to prevent any naxalite attacks, police added.

UNI