Maoists strike on poll-eve: kill poll official, torch vehicles in Odisha

Phulbani (Odisha): The Maoists struck on the eve of second phase election in Odisha, gunning down a woman poll official and setting ablaze two poll vehicles and a motorbike on way to booths on Wednesday, police said.

Both the incidents occurred at separate places of Maoist affected Kandhamal district where the red rebels have asked the people to boycott the elections.

Following the incidents, the police have set up a Command Centre here for smooth conduct of voting on Thursday.

The ultras gunned down the officer when she was taking a team of poll personnel to a booth, police said.

Sector Officer Sanjukta Digal was shot dead when she got down from the vehicle to check a suspicious object lying on the road while passing through a jungle near Balandapada village under Gochhapada police station limits, DGP B K Sharma said.

Other four polling personnel were in the vehicle and they were unhurt.

There were also reports of an explosion at the spot but the police are yet to confirm it.

The incident occurred in Phulbani assembly segment under Kandhamal Lok Sabha seat where polling is scheduled to begin at 7 am on

Thursday.

"The Maoists fired and a bullet hit her on the head killing her on the spot," DGP B K Sharma said.

A Police Command Centre has started opertating at the district headquarter of Phulbai and a comprehensive plan has been put in place, he said.