5 election officials hurt in landmine blast

Six persons including five election officials on their way for panchayat polls were injured in a blast when the vehicle they were travelling in came under a landmine in Orissa'a Dantewada district on Sunday, police said.

Six persons including five election officials on their way for panchayat polls were injured in a blast when the vehicle they were travelling in came under a landmine in Orissa'a Dantewada district on Sunday, police said.

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None of the injuries was serious in nature and the polling officials and the bus driver were taken to a hospital and treated.

The blast occurred around 7 AM near Mokpal village when the officials were going for election duty, Dantewada SP Amrish Mishra told PTI.

Security has been tightened following the incident and the election process would not be affected, he said.

Adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure naxals do not cause disruptions during the panchayat polls that are being held across the state.