Violence-free 4th phase panchayat poll in Bihar

The police also recovered eight firearms and several rounds of ammunition from different places.

The fourth phase of panchayat elections in Bihar on Wednesday passed off peacefully amid tight security with around 55 to 60 per cent voter turn-out.

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No untoward incident was reported from any of the panchayats spread over 38 districts where elections were held, state Home Secretary Afzal Amanullah and IG (Headquarters) Anil Sinha told reporters.

Tight security arrangements were made for the elections on Wednesday, they said, adding 879 persons were arrested from different areas for allegedly trying to create disturbances during polling.

The police also recovered eight firearms and several rounds of ammunition from different places.

Twenty-eight persons were killed in the first three phases of panchayat elections in Bihar held on May 15, May 17 and May 21.