Jharkhand polls: Maoists gun down 2 BSF jawans
The third phase of elections to the Jharkhand assembly was marred by Maoist violence, even as the turnout during Tuesday’s polling was better than the previous two phases.
Two BSF jawans were killed near Chaipani village under the jurisdiction of Shikaripari police station in the Dumka district of state after the rebels opened fire at the security personnel, police said. While one jawan died instantly, the other succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. “Combing operation is underway to nab the extremists,” said VH Deshmukh, Jharkhand police spokesperson.
In the wee hours, the rebels demolished two school buildings using explosives in Balumath block in Palamau district. Constituencies falling under the Palamau region are to go to the polls in last phase on December 18.
According to officials, over 55 per cent of the electorate exercised their franchise during the third phase.
