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Voters defy Naxals in Gadchiroli, 60% turnout till 3 PM

There was visible enthusiasm in the Maoist-hit region inspite of threats by the Reds

Press Trust of India Nagpur
A high voter turnout of over 60% was today recorded in the Maoist-hit Gadchiroli Lok Sabha constituency, where people defied the Naxals' call for boycott of polling.

A group of Naxals opened fire on a polling party at Jambia Gatta in south Gadchiroli while it was returning to the district headquarters.

No one was hurt and the party returned safe, Inspector General of Police, Nagpur range, Ravinda Kadam told PTI.

The polling time was curtailed due to security reasons. The polling began in the Naxal hotbed at 7 AM and ended at 3 PM.

According to reports reaching the divisional headquarters here, the poll percentage may go up as queues were witnessed at a few places in the forest district even after 3 PM.
 
There was visible enthusiasm in the Maoist-hit region inspite of threats by the Reds, the reports said.

The authorities heaved a sigh of relief as there was no report of any untoward incident in the constituency so far.

Elaborate security arrangements were put in place in the district to ensure free, fair and violence-free polling.

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First Published: Apr 10 2014 | 5:29 PM IST

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