RANCHI: The first phase of polls, which ended with 64.44 per cent polling in Jharkhand, witnessed IED blasts triggered by Maoists in Gumla and a clash between BJP and Congress workers in Daltonganj.
Congress candidate KN Tripathy allegedly flaunted a pistol in self-defence after being attacked by BJP supporters in Daltonganj. The Election Commission, taking cognizance of the matter, sought a detailed report from the district administration. Tripathy, who was taken into custody for interrogation, was later released. The pistol was seized by the district administration.
According to Tripathy, BJP supporters had resorted to stone pelting damaging his bullet-
proof vehicle when he tried to get inside a polling booth.“BJP supporters started pelting stones at me and my bodyguards. They damaged my bulletproof car. Somehow I managed to get out of the car and save my life,” he said.
Supporters of BJP candidate Alok Chaurasia did not want me to enter that booth as it was being looted by them, he added.Another clash was witnessed under Hussainabad Assembly seat in Palamu where AJSU and NCP supporters locked horns with each other. A probe has been ordered by the district administration after both the parties reached police station complaining against each other.
In Gumla, Maoists triggered at least three blasts in the Banalat jungles. The district administration said the blasts did not affect voting in the region. “A blast was triggered at Banalat jungles where Maoists tried to blow up a culvert, but could not succeed. No any loss of life or property has been reported,” said Gumla Deputy Commissioner Shashi Ranjan.Apart from such stray incidents of violence, polling remained peaceful in the 13 Assembly constituencies.