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Updated April 11th, 2019 at 19:07 IST

Maoists target polling party in Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh; 1 Maoist killed by security forces

Maoists targetted a polling party in Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh on Thursday on the occasion of Lok Sabha elections.

Reported by: Apoorva Rao
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Maoists targetted a polling party in Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh on Thursday on the occasion of Lok Sabha elections.

They opened fire at a polling party which was returning from the voting booth. The firing continued for ten minutes.  The security forces ensured the safety of the polling party. 

One Maoist has been killed in an encounter with security forces in Orchha police station limits.

One Special Task Force (STF) constable has sustained injuries in the gunfight. He is out of danger. The body of the Maoist has been recovered along with a country-made pistol, a knife, a pitthu bag and other incriminating materials.

READ | Voting Day Controversies Tracker: As Phase 1 Of The 2019 Lok Sabha Elections Begins Here's What's Stirring Up Controversy

Earlier on Thursday, four Maoists were arrested and three firearms seized from them in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district while polling was underway in the state's Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, a police official said.

The attackers, belonging to Maad division of Maoists, were apprehended from Bedre area in the morning when a joint team of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and district force was out on an area domination operation, the official said. "Three weapons were also recovered from their possession," he added.

In the wee hours Thursday, Maoists detonated an IED (improvised explosive device) in Narayanpur district, which comes under Bastar constituency, police said. No casualty was reported in the blast.

A thick security blanket, comprising around 80,000 state and paramilitary personnel, has been thrown across the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency.

Seven candidates are in fray in Bastar constituency. 

On Tuesday, a BJP MLA and four security personnel were killed in a Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district.

Hours after the incident, Election Commission ensured that polling will take place as per schedule in the state. "Polling will go on as per schedule," EC officials said quoting state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Subrat Sahu.

Despite the security threats, Chattisgarh turned out in large numbers to cast their votes for a new government, two days after the ghastly Maoists attack. 

WATCH: Resilience Of Voters In Chhattisgarh's Dantewada On Display As They Turn Out In Large Numbers Days After Maoist Attack

(With PTI inputs)

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Published April 11th, 2019 at 18:40 IST

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