Naxal attack in Bastar: Polling to continue as per schedule, EC seeks report
Election Commission has decided to continue with Lok Sabha polling in Bastar constituency despite IED blast by Naxals in Datenwada, which killed the local BJP MLA and at least security personnel.
Meanwhile, the election body sought an "immediate" report from the Chhattisgarh government and the poll authorities on the Naxal attack. Sources in the poll panel told PTI that the state government as well as the chief electoral officer have been asked to "immediately" submit a report.The Commission would then analyse the situation, they said.
Chhattisgarh Chief Electoral Officer reportedly held an urgent video conference meeting of collectors & SPs of the affected districts covering Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Chhattisgarh, and instructed them to take utmost precautions over the next few days
Dantewada falls in the Bastar Lok Sabha seat which will go to polls in the first phase on Thursday.
The state will go for polls in three phases -- April 11, 18 and 23.
BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi and four security personnel were on Tuesday killed when their convoy was attacked by Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, days before the first-phase elections in the state, police said.
The incident occurred at Shyamagiri hills when the MLA's convoy was heading towards Kuwakonda from the Bacheli area, which is about 450 km from state capital Raipur.
The Naxalites blew up a vehicle in the convoy with an IED and opened fire at the occupants, killing the MLA and four security personnel, police officials said.
(With inputs from PTI)
