Windjammer
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DUMKA: Eight persons, including two election officials, 5 police personnel and one cleaner, were killed when Maoists ambushed a poll bus near Sarsa village under Shikaripara police station of Dumka district soon after voting ended in the prestigious reserved constituency on Thursday. About 10 persons have been injured in the incident. When contacted around 5pm, Dumka DIG Priya Dubey said she was "clueless". DGP Rajeev Kumar later confirmed the incident.
The news of the ambush spread after a poll official, who sustained gunshot injuries in the leg, contacted his family in Dumka, sources said. They added that some police personnel are reportedly still trapped in the bus as rebels are said to be waiting for another attempt to target the security forces who arrive there to rescue them.
According to reports reaching here, rebels detonated a landmine and blew up a minibus carrying police forces and poll officials as it approached a culvert. The rebels then took position on either side of the road - surrounded by forests and hills - and fired on the bus.
The incident took place around 4pm when the polling party was returning to base after conducting the polls.
Though police could not give any details about the incident, eyewitnesses said five bodies, including those of police personnel, were lying at the site. They said security forces were having a difficult time reaching the spot due to darkness.
Chief minister Hemant Soren, who is in Dumka, said officials have been directed to ensure safety of the poll officials. "The attackers will be given a fitting reply," he said.
JVM(P) chief Babulal Marandi held the state government responsible for the incident. He said the injured officials would have been rescued had the government been prompt.
"I contacted the Dumka SP soon after the incident, but he did not appear serious. An IAF chopper is available in Dumka and the injured could have been airlifted immediately. The delay in launching a rescue operation could prove very costly," he said.
A huge crowd has gathered at the Sadar Hospital here and waiting for the injured persons.
8 killed as Maoists ambush bus carrying poll officials in Dumka - The Times of India
So while in Pakistan it's Polio workers being targeted, in India it's Poll officials getting killed.
The news of the ambush spread after a poll official, who sustained gunshot injuries in the leg, contacted his family in Dumka, sources said. They added that some police personnel are reportedly still trapped in the bus as rebels are said to be waiting for another attempt to target the security forces who arrive there to rescue them.
According to reports reaching here, rebels detonated a landmine and blew up a minibus carrying police forces and poll officials as it approached a culvert. The rebels then took position on either side of the road - surrounded by forests and hills - and fired on the bus.
The incident took place around 4pm when the polling party was returning to base after conducting the polls.
Though police could not give any details about the incident, eyewitnesses said five bodies, including those of police personnel, were lying at the site. They said security forces were having a difficult time reaching the spot due to darkness.
Chief minister Hemant Soren, who is in Dumka, said officials have been directed to ensure safety of the poll officials. "The attackers will be given a fitting reply," he said.
JVM(P) chief Babulal Marandi held the state government responsible for the incident. He said the injured officials would have been rescued had the government been prompt.
"I contacted the Dumka SP soon after the incident, but he did not appear serious. An IAF chopper is available in Dumka and the injured could have been airlifted immediately. The delay in launching a rescue operation could prove very costly," he said.
A huge crowd has gathered at the Sadar Hospital here and waiting for the injured persons.
8 killed as Maoists ambush bus carrying poll officials in Dumka - The Times of India
So while in Pakistan it's Polio workers being targeted, in India it's Poll officials getting killed.
