Ultras loot EVMs in Raipur

People's War Group and MCC extremists looted EVMs from seven booths in the Naxalite-infested areas of Chhattisgarh.

People's War Group and Maoist Communist Centre extremists on Tuesday looted Electronic Voting Machines from seven booths in the Naxalite-infested areas of Chhattisgarh where four securitymen were injured in landmine blasts as an estimated 15 per cent of the 1.37 crore voters exercised their franchise during the first four hours of polling for the 11 Lok Sabha seats.

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Naxalites looted EVMs leading to suspension of polling in four booths of Bastar constituency -- Kejam, Sonapal Farasgaon and Kosalnar, additional Chief Electoral Officer, Chhattisgarh BL Agarwal said.

The Naxals also looted the voting machines in two places in adjoining Kanker constituency -- Kiskodi, Mandgaon, Patarpara in Dantewada district but the polling resumed in Kiskodi after fresh EVMs were provided, he said.

"In the rest five places repoll is likely to be ordered as it is not possible to replace the looted EVMs immediately," Agarwal said.

Four para-military personnel were injured in landmine blasts in eight places and subsequent encounters in two places of Bastar and Kanker districts of the state, police said.