Tuesday, February 15 2005 12:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna/Ranchi: An initial 15 per cent voter turnout was recorded as Bihar and Jharkhand went for the second phase of elections for 131 Assembly constituencies today (Feb 15, 2005) amid reports of bomb blasts, breaking of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and clashes in Bihar and a pre-dawn naxalite attack in Jharkhand.

Helicopters patrolled the skies in naxal-hit areas of the two neighbouring states and shoot-at-sight orders were issued against booth-grabbers to ensure peaceful polling for the 82 constituencies in Bihar and 29 in Jharkhand.

In Lohardaga in Jharkhand, naxalites opened fire on some Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans sheltering in a school, injuring one of them, sources said.

Voting, though, has been peaceful in all seven districts, where the constituencies are located and a moderate 15 per cent voter turnout recorded so far, officials sources said.

Chief Minister Arjun Munda is among 456 candidates in the fray for the 29 seats.

In Bihar, an estimated 12 to 15 per cent balloting was recorded in the early hours with sporadic violence as 1,014 candidates vied for votes from an electorate of nearly 1.8 crore.

Police said miscreants exploded two bombs at Gandhi Chowk in Munger town to intimidate voters but no casualties were reported while an EVM was smashed at a booth in Saharsa with anti-socials clashing with poll personnel.

Supporters of rival groups exchanged fire near a booth in Sheikhpura. Nobody was injured in the clash, they added.