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Patna: Illegal bomb-makers were racing against time as violence-prone Bihar state went to the polls (first phase on Thursday). Poll-related violence and booth-capturing are common in Bihar, considered to be the most lawless in the country. Elections in the past have always been marred by large-scale violence between supporters of several political parties in the state. An illegal bomb maker in Jehanabad, who refused to give his name, said they have got huge orders from political parties of all hues. "We have supplied around 1000 bombs till now. It's because the bombs are used during the election times. It can be used to scare away the crowd and also against the police," he said. Most of these industries operate from homes illegally and follow little safety norms. Only recently six members of a family had died while making bombs. Security was tightened across the state where elections were to take place in 243 legislative seats in phases.
Police said they launched a crackdown against the anti-social elements trying to disrupt the polls. "We have arrested around 2,000 hardcore criminals and have also recovered illegal arms. We have raided 26 factories making illegal arms. It will surely help us in combating the violence," said Neelmani, Bihar state inspector general of police. Independent
opinion polls have said the ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal, which has been
in power for the last 15 years, has an edge over its rivals. India's independent
Election Commission has staggered elections in Bihar and neighbouring
Jharkhand to three phases in its bid to conduct polls peacefully. Haryana
voted in a single phase on Thursday, alongwith the first phase in these
two states. |
