Bihar polls: 51 pc votes cast in 6th phase

Patna: An estimated 51 per cent votes were cast in the sixth phase of voting on Saturday in 26 Assembly constituencies spread over Buxar, Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad and Gaya districts in the sixth and final phase of elections in Bihar, despite the Maoists' call for boycott of poll.

Maoists engaged security men in Tardih hills under Chenari Assembly constituency in Rohtas district, but no casualty was reported, Superintendent of Police Vikas Baibhav said.

In Kaimur district, Lalbahadur Bind, brother of ruling BJP nominee for Chenari Assembly constituency Brijkishore Bind was arrested. Cash worth Rs 15,000, besides voter's list were seized from him, official sources said.

Anti-Bomb disposal squad defused some bombs planted by Maoists which were traced near Pachaukhar in Auragabad district, the sources said.

Maoists trigger landmine blast

On Saturday morning, Maoists triggered a landmine blast in Sherghati area of Gaya, injuring a jawan.

The Maoists have given a call for boycott of elections in Bihar, where the sixth and final phase of polling is underway. Of the 26 constituencies going to polls, 18 have been declared as Maoist-hit.

Polling is being held in the Maoist-affected constituencies between 7.00 AM and 3.00 PM, while in the rest of the seats it will be held between 7.00 AM and 5.00 PM.

Around 35,000 security personnel and four helicopters have been deployed as part of unprecedented security arrangements for the elections, Director General of Police Neelmani said.

Four BSF helicopters, including an MI-17 and a Dhruv, are keeping air surveillance in Gaya, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Buxar and Kaimur districts with Special Task Force commandos on board, he said.

There is 100 per cent deployment of central para military forces in five Maoist-hit constituencies in Gaya and six in Aurangabad district and between 90 and 95 per cent elsewhere, Neelmani said.

Prominent candidates in fray include Speaker and JD-U leader Uday Narayan Choudhary (Imamganj), BJP minister Awadhesh Narayan Singh (Dehri), JD-U ministers Chhedi Paswan (Mohania) and Anil Kumar (Tekari).

(With PTI inputs)