Naxalite violence mars the start of polling in Chhattisgarh as 11 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state are going to the polls today amidst tight security.
Reports reaching from different places said that six personnel on election duty had lost their lives as Naxalites attacked the polling parties and security personnel in the territories of their sway.
Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar Choubey informed that rebels blew up a jeep carrying Zonal Officer and six others near Maanpur in a powerful landmine plant at about 10 am today. The Zonal Officer and four others died on the spot, about 150 km from here, while two others escaped with serious injuries, he added.
A jawan of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was killed in Marokhi in restive Bijapur district of Bastar when heavy armed Naxalites tried to storm into the polling centre. The jawans however gave befitting reply and foiled the attempt. In a heavy exchange of fire, the CRPF jawan lost his life, police officials in Bastar said.
The senior officials in the police headquarters here said that reports related to number of incidents of Naxalite violence had been coming in from the interior areas of Bastar. In Sukma of Bijapur district, rebels forced the polling party of Jangampal to return. The members of the polling party have now taken shelter in nearby Kukanaar police station.
About 20 per cent polling had been reported in the state till 11 am, sources in the election office said.
