Friday, October 21 2005 10:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Gaya: Polling began in four Naxalites-hit constituencies in Bihar's Gaya district today morning (Oct 21, 2005) amid tight security and IAF helicopters maintaining aerial surveillance, official sources said.

Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar Jha told sources that 65 companies of central para-military forces comprising over 6,000 personnel have been deployed at 1005 polling stations in Gaya (town), Gaya (mofussil), Belaganj and Bodh Gaya constituencies.

Polling in these places, earlier scheduled for October 18 was postponed till today by the Election Commission to facilitate effective deployment of security forces.

Border Security Force (BSF), ITBP and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel are manning all the 1005 booths.

Four IAF choppers were patrolling the skies in the four hypersensitive constituencies where Naxalites have given a call for boycott of elections.

There are 43 candidates in the fray, including nine each in Belaganj, Gaya (town) and Bodh Gaya besides 16 in Gaya (mofussil).