Maoist attack in Phulbani ahead of polls; polling party vehicle torched

Phulbani: Ahead of the second phase polls, Maoists unleashed terror in Kandhamal district in Odisha by targeting a polling party vehicle. Police confirmed that the polling staffs in the vehicle are safe.

As per reports, a polling party was on its way to Mugunipadar booth under Phiringia Police limits when a group of Maoists stopped their vehicle. The Maoists then dragged the polling officials out and torched their vehicle, informed sources.

Senior police officials have confirmed that the polling staffs were safe as they were dragged out before their vehicle was set on fire.

Following the incident, security forces have been deployed on the spot and the forces have launched a combing operation in the area.

Five Lok Sabha and thirty five Assembly seats will go to polls in the second phase tomorrow.