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Security forces claim killing 3 naxals

Patrol party attacked during the ninth phase of Panchayat polls in Bihar

PATNA: Security forces on Thursday claimed three CPI (Maoist) members were killed in an encounter in Lathua village in naxalite-hit Gaya district when the extremists attacked a patrol party during the ninth phase of Panchayat polls that registered 55-60 per cent voter turnout.

Armed naxalites attacked a CRPF patrolling party in Lathua village prompting the security forces to return fire and in the encounter three maoists were killed, CRPF sources said in Gaya.

No body could be recovered from the encounter site and it is believed that the naxalites might have carried the bodies of their collegaues while fleeing, CRPF sources said, adding no casualty was reported from their side.

Home Secretary Afzal Amanullah told reporters here that notwithstanding rains around 55 to 60 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the ninth phase of the panchayat polls in 49 blocks in 25 districts on Thursday.

Claiming that polling was by and large peaceful, the Home Secretary said over 700 people were arrested from different places during voting with maximum 300 from the Banka district. Amanullah said the last of the 10 phase panchayat elections would be held on June 11.

Elections in two blocks -- Dumaria and Imamganj -- in Gaya district have been deferred to June 13 and June 15 respectively for security reasons, Amanullah said.

The panchayat elections being held on non-party basis have claimed 28 lives in the first three phases. - PTI

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