Local Body Polls Held Amidst Gunshots, Bomb Blasts
Patna: May 29, 2007
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Municipal Polls Held in Patna
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Photo by Shashi Uttam |
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Amidst more than half a dozen bomb blasts and gunshots, people in Patna on Tuesday went to poll to elect ward councilors and other civic officials though the state election commissioner and Home Secretary Afzal Amanullah called it a peaceful election 'marred by isolated incidents' of violence.
With voters turnout estimated to be between 40 and 45 percent, nearly 400 criminals and miscreants were arrested from various parts of the state capital, many from Patna City area, the police said.
One woman was hurt in an explosion near Patan Devi temple in Patna City. In Ward 65 near the Water Tank in Alamganj, criminals blasted seven bombs in which another woman was injured.
In Khajekalan, criminals opened fire in which a 25-year old man was hurt. The police arrested a criminal identified as Ajay Verma and recovered a six-round country pistol and more than a dozen live cartridges from his possession.
Reports of shots fired were also received from Kankarbagh, B. M. Das Road, Indrapuri, and Boring Road.
Altogether 844 candidates were in the foray for a number of positions in 72 wards. Nearly 12 lakh voters were expected to caste their votes at 1149 booths in Patna and Patna City areas.
Counting of votes will be held at A. N. College on May 31.
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