Jharkhand: Maoists trigger landmine blast killing 8 on polling day

Dumka, Jharkhand: Eight persons - six polling officials and two policemen - were killed and seven others injured in a landmine blast when suspected Maoists blew up their vehicle in the district, a senior police officer said here. Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar said a landmine was triggered when they were returning from poll duty. [caption id=“attachment_1496983” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Injured Police and polling officials after suspected Maoists attack at Sikaripara in Dumka of Jharkhand on Thursday. PTI.[/caption] The blast occurred near Asnajore in Shikaripara Assembly segment while the polling officials were returning, Inspector General of Police, Anurag Gupta said. He said police reinforcement was rushed to the area for combing operations. Polling for the Dumka Lok Sabha seat was held on Thursday along with Raj Mahal, Godda and Dhanbad. The Indian Express reported that this was the second major attack in Dumka in less than a year. Dumka was also added to Ministry of Home Affairs’ list of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) areas in April 2012. Polling was also held under increased security in Santhal Pargana the district of which Dumka is a part. “A total of 76 polling personnel were lifted by IAF helicopters which ferried them from Dumka airport in separate trips and will be stationed here until Thursday for emergency…” The Times of India  reported. PTI