Thursday, February 3 2005 14:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Medininagar (Jharkhand): Four naxalites were today (Feb 03, 2005) shot dead by security forces at Dandila under Hussainabad constituency in Palamu district where several encounters with CPI-Maoist (Communist Party of India) activists and firing to prevent booth capturing were reported.

The police and the para-military personnel were heading towards booth numbers 136 and 138 in the constituency when they were fired upon by CPI-Maoist activists who attempted to ambush them, Magistrate (law and order) Khurshi Anwar said.

In the retaliatory action, four members of the banned outfit were shot dead, he added.

Hussainabad is one of the 24 seats where polling is on.

In another incident in Palamu district, the para-military forces opened fire at booth grabbers at Kari booth under Bishrampur constituency. No casualty was reported, police said.

Report of another encounter between the para-military forces and the ultras has come in from Hariharganj under Hussainabad constituency in the same district.

Meanwhile, the security personnel have cordoned off an area in Pandu under Bishrampur constituency in Palamu where at least hundred extremists are said to be holed up.

A separate encounter was also reported between the security forces and the ultras today between Burmu and Nindra in Ranchi district where polling will be held on February 15 in the second phase.

The encounter took place for over one hour before the naxalites fled the scene, police said.