Two people were killed and dozens were injured in clashes during the second phase of panchayat polls in Bihar on Sunday. The average voter turnout was 58.8 per cent, up from 55 per cent in the first phase.
Despite the heightened security arrangements put in place in view of poll-related violence expected for this phase of polls for 27,905 panchayat posts under 57 blocks spread over 37 districts, there were over 50 incidents of firing by miscreants during the polling process. Altogether 791 people were arrested and 194 vehicles were seized during the day, the police said.
A mukhia’s husband was killed in Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district in the police firing after angry villagers forcibly confined the polling officials.
One man died in a fierce skirmish between two groups in Patahi (East) of Motihari. The police had to fire at miscreants in Munger and Sheohar districts.
A few incidents of voters being lured with cash and attempts of booth capturing were reported. Some miscreants and the police exchanged over 200 rounds at a booth in Saharsa district.
Rifles of policemen were reportedly snatched by a mob in Muzaffarpur.