Bihar police chief says third phase of assembly polls peaceful

Patna, Oct. 29 (ANI): Bihar's Director-General of Police Neelmani has said that the third phase of polls in the state was by and large peaceful.

"Barring a few sporadic incidents, the third phase of election concluded, by and large peacefully," he said.

"As a precautionary measure, 185 arrests were made in the districts going to polls in the third phase. In Gopalganj (district) 105 were arrested, 23 in Siwan, 16 in Saran, 15 in Vaishali, 21 in Bagha and 24 in Betiah," he added.

"In fact on the basis of intelligence reports, we got the information that in a school IED. (Improvised Explosive Device) had been planted. It was a trap for the police. We got the information through our sources. SP (Superintendent of Police) himself had gone there and was leading (the team), three mines on the way were taken out and then that one at the school was taken out," he said

Around 54 percent polling were recorded in the third phase.

The state will elect a new 243-seat assembly in a staggered month-long polling in six phases in which over 55 million electorates are expected to cast their franchise. Counting of votes will take place on November 24. (ANI)