Tuesday, October 18 2005 15:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Three Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidates and ten others were arrested today (Oct 18, 2005) on charges of breaking Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and moving with weapons in violation of prohibitory orders in Govindpur, Deo and Obra Assembly constituencies in Bihar.

RJD candidate for Govindpur in Nawada district Sanjay Prabhat allegedly broke an EVM machine at a booth at Sighna village in the constituency and also opened fire to intimidate the voters, officials said.

The security men posted there took him into custody and also seized the weapon he was carrying. Three RJD activists moving along with Prabhat were also arrested, the sources said.

Earlier, RJD candidate for Deo assembly seat in Aurangabad district Suresh Paswan and seven others were arrested while moving around in the constituency carrying a weapon in violation of prohibitory orders.

Superintendent of police (Aurangabad) Sushil Khopde told sources that Paswan, a Minister in the erstwhile Rabri Devi Government, was going around with his men in a vehicle carrying a rifle and several rounds of ammunition.

RJD candidate for Obra Satyanarain Singh Yadav was also arrested for breaking an EVM, while party nominee for Aurangabad Suresh Mehta was detained on the charge of trying to intimidate the voters, the police said.