Chhattisgarh Phase 1 Polling Sees 70 Percent, COBRA Commando Injured

RAIPUR:  The first phase polling in Chhattisgarh in which 20 of 90 assembly constituencies in the state went to polls on Tuesday, recorded 70.11 percent voter turnout.

In the 2018 assembly elections, around 76.02 percent polling was witnessed in the 20 assembly constituencies.

The polling was marred by incidents of Naxal violence at several places in Dantewada, Sukma, Kanker and Narayanpur under Bastar in Chhattisgarh.

A jawan of CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) 206 battalion, identified as Srikant, was injured when he stepped on a pressure bomb in Tedamurka forest in Sukma district, police said.

According to the police, Maoists attacked security personnel near Dulher under Sukma district leading to an encounter between them. The ultras later fled to the jungle.

In Ulia forest under Bande police station in Kanker district, security forces engaged in a fierce encounter with Naxals.

Several ultras were suspected to have been injured, police said.

One AK 47 assault rifle was recovered at the encounter site.

Similarly, Maoists opened fire on security personnel in Tandur forest under Orchha block in Narayanpur district, leading to an encounter between them.

However, there were no reports of any casualty or injury in the incident.

Security forces recovered two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near Sompara under Aranpur police station in Dantewada district.

Maoists planted the IEDs to target the security personnel providing security to the polling personnel.

In Gangaloor area under Bijapur district, Maoists opened fire on the security personnel, leading to an encounter between them.

However, no one was injured in the incident, police said.

Fates of 233 candidates including former chief minister and BJP national vice-president Raman Singh, state minister Mohammad Akbar and state Congress president Deepak Baij, who is also Lok Sabha member, have been sealed in the EVMs in the first phase polling in the state.

Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel said that Congress would improve its tally of 2018 assembly polls when the party secured 17 out of 20 seats that went to polls on Tuesday.

Mr Singh however claimed that BJP has done well in the first phase polling and would form government in the state.