Maoists fire on voters, target poll party in Jharkhand panchayat polls

CHAIBASA/CHATRA : Maoists fired on voters in West Singhbhum district and targetted a polling party in Chatra district today during the third phase of the panchayat elections in Jharkhand.

There was no casualty in either of the two incidents, police sources said.

The Maoists opened fire in Parangir village under Bandhgaon block in West Singhbhum, but fled after the police and para-military forces retaliated, West Singhbhum Police Superintendent of A K Singh told PTI.

In Chatra district, Maoists triggered a landmine blast in Rajpur village, minutes after a polling party crossed the area, SP Prabhat Kumar said.

The third phase of polling concluded at 3:00 pm. The panchayat elections are being held after a gap of 32 years. The earlier two phases were peaceful.