Bihar issues shoot-at-sight orders ahead of polls

Patna, Apr.15 (ANI): Shoot-at-sight orders have been issued across Bihar in the run-up to Thursday's first phase election in 13 out of 40 Lok Sabha constituencies.

The state's borders with Nepal and neighbouring states have also been sealed.

Lalu Prasad of the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Rajiv Pratap Rudy of Bharatiya Janata Party (Saran), Union Ministers Meira Kumar of Congress (Sasaram) and Hina Shahab, wife of controversial RJD MP Md Shahabuddin (Siwan) are candidates whose fate will be decided in tomorrow's polls.

An electorate of over 1.75 crore are eligible to cast their votes in the 13 constituencies, where 21 women candidates are among 223 in the fray.

Gopalganj, Maharajganj, Ara, Gaya, Buxar, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Nawada, Saran, Sasaram, Siwan, Karakat and Jamui constituencies will go to the polls.

Bihar's Home Secretary Afzal Amannulah said: "We have ordered shoot at sight orders in case security personnel fail to control the situation." (ANI)