Jharkhand Assembly Elections Phase 2: Firing Reported In Gumla's Sirsa Block

At least six people including policemen were injured in clashes and subsequent police firing. The vehicle of a block development officer was also targeted during the firing.

Amid the second phase of polling of assembly elections in Jharkhand on Saturday, an instance of firing has been reported in Sirsa block of Gumla district.

New Delhi: Amid the second phase of polling of assembly elections in Jharkhand on Saturday, an instance of firing has been reported in Sirsa block of Gumla district. At least six people including policemen were injured in clashes and subsequent police firing. The vehicle of a block development officer was also targeted during the firing. "Senior police officials including Gumla SP is on the spot. Let the situation normalise first. Right now we cannot confirm any casualties," said A.V. Homkar, DIG Ranchi range. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) was deployed at booth no. 36, Bagni where the incident took place. As per the report, the problem began at booth no 36 of Gumla district when people got angry due to delay in voting. They started pelting stones on the police, who retaliated with firing in which one youth sustained bullet injuries. His condition is said to be serious. The Election Commission has sought an explanation from the Gumla district administration. The polling is underway for 20 assembly seats of Jharkhand on Saturday. In today's phase, voting is being conducted at 20 constituencies including JamshedpurEast and Jamshedpur West. In this phase of the elections, over 48 lakh voters will be exercising their franchise. The first phase concluded on November 30. Voting for the third, fourth and fifth phases will be held respectively on 12, 16 and 20 December. The results will be declared on December 23.