Two BSF jawans killed during Jharkhand poll
Two BSF jawans were killed by Maoists, who had given a poll boycott call, during the third of the five-phase polling for 11 seats in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly which registered 50-55 per cent turn out.
The rebels fired at a BSF patrol party near Sarasdangal forest in Dumka district killing two jawans of the security force's 137 battalion at the fag end of polling, Inspector General of Police, V H Desmukh said.
While one died on the spot, another succumbed to his injuries in hospital. The deceased were identified as head constable Dharamvir Singh and constable Dinesh Sharma.
"About 50 to 55 per cent polling has been recorded during the day," an Election Commission official said.
Altogether 237 candidates, including 115 Independents, were in the fray.
Former Chief Minister Stephen Marandi (Cong), JMM chief Shibu Soren's son Hemant who is a Rajya Sabha member, former ministers Nalin Soren (JMM), Samresh Singh (JVM-P) and Sita Soren, widow of Shibu Soren's eldest son Durga Soren were among prominent candidates.
The fourth phase of polling is scheduled on December 12 and the fifth and final round will be held on December 18.
Results will be announced on December 23.
