First phase of Chhattisgarh polls marred by Naxalite attacks and encounters

The first phase of polling in Chhattisgarh was marred by an IED blast triggered by Naxalites and three separate encounters between the rebels and security personnel, officials reported. During an area domination operation in Sukma district, a commando of CoBRA, an elite unit of CRPF, was injured in the blast caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Naxalites.

In Kanker district, an AK-47 rifle was recovered after an encounter between Naxalites and security personnel. Officials claim that some Naxalites may have been killed or injured during the face-off. The incident occurred during an area domination operation by the Border Security Force (BSF) and District Reserve Guard (DRG) near Panavar village.

A brief exchange of fire also took place near Banda polling station in Sukma district, and another encounter occurred in Orchha police station area of Narayanpur district. Fortunately, no harm was reported to security personnel in these two incidents.


On Monday, Naxalites planted a pressure improvised explosive device (IED) in the Chhotebethiya police station area of Antagarh constituency, injuring two polling personnel and a BSF jawan.

The first phase of the state assembly elections involves voting in 20 constituencies out of the total 90-member state assembly.

Voting for the first phase of the Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections, involving 20 seats in the state's southern region, began on Tuesday.

Polling started at 7 a.m. for ten seats, which include Mohla-Manpur, Antagarh, Bhanupratappur, Kanker, Keshkal, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur and Konta.

The polling for the remaining assembly constituencies, which include Pandaria, Kawardha, Khairagarh, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Dongargaon, Khujji, Bastar, Jagdalpur, and Chitrakote, started at 8 am and will continue until 5 pm.