Sitamarhi/Muzaffarpur: The second phase of polling is on in Bihar under the shadow of Naxal terror.
Earlier in the day, Naxals on Sunday raided a polling centre in Sitamarhi district and set fire to poll materials, while a Minister escaped unhurt in an attack in neighbouring Muzaffarpur district in the second phase of election being held in 45 constituencies.
Heavily-armed Naxals raided the polling centre (116) at Subaigarh in Runisaidpur constituency and burnt down the electronic voting machines besides other materials early this morning before voting began, said Superintendent of Police Rakesh Rathi.
Three polling personnel, presiding officer Baldeo Prasad Yadav, K N Sigh and Satyendra Patel were missing after the incident, Returning Officer for the seat Shivdani Singh said.
Substitute polling materials, including EVMs, and poll personnel were rushed to the booth and voting began as per schedule, Singh said.
The Maoists have given a call for election boycott in Bihar.
In another incident, the vehicle of state JD-U minister Dinesh Prasad Kushwaha was attacked allegedly by supporters of an Independent candidate Madhavi Chandra at a place under
Minapur Assembly constituency in Muzaffarpur district, official sources said.
While Kushwaha escaped unhurt, his bodyguard was injured in the incident, they said adding the vehicle of ruling BJP nominee Veena Devi too was attacked in Gayghat Assembly constituency in the district, but none was injured.
Security has been tightened in six districts including Sheohar, Samastipur, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur and parts of East Champaran in the second phase. Voters turnout was about nine per cent as of 9 AM.
Naxals triggered a landmine explosion in Bihar's Sheohar district on late Friday night killing six policemen. In the wake of the attack now the polling would end by 3 pm instead of 5 pm.
(with inputs from PTI)
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