Jharkhand: 7 killed; 45-50 per cent turnout

Around 45 to 50 per cent voter turnout was recorded on Thursday in the first phase of polling in Jharkhand.
 
The polling, however, was marred by Naxalite violence. Seven persons, including six policemen, were killed when Naxalites blasted a landmine in Palamu.

There was an exchange of fire between security forces and some extremists at Hariharganj in the Hussainabad assembly constituency.

Also see: 55 per cent turnout; 19 killed

The security forces cordoned off a large area in Pandu in Bishrampur, where, they suspect, at least a hundred extremists are holed up.

In Giridih, a Communist Party of India (ML-Liberation) activist was injured in a clash near a booth at Bariadih in the Rajdhanwar assembly constituency.

Also see: 60 pc polling in Haryana; one killed