Six Naxalites were killed and 12 injured in 20 encounters with the police on Tuesday in the extremist-influenced Bastar in Chhattisgarh as an estimated 50 per cent of the 1.37 crore electorate exercised their franchise around the time of the close of polling for all 11 Lok Sabha seats and two Assembly bypolls in the state. At 61 per cent, the high-profile Mahasamund constituency registered the highest voter turnout.PWG and MCC ultras looted EVMs from seven booths in pockets, leading to suspension of polls Polls were suspended in Kejam, Sonapal, Farasgaon and Kosalnar booths of Bastar. Bastar Range IG Giridhari Nayak said the body of a Naxalite was recovered from Bheji in Dantewada after an encounter. All the encounters occurred in worst-affected districts of Bastar, Dantewada and Kanker, Nayak said adding that 11 cases were reported during the polling hours. Four paramilitary personnel — two each from CRPF and BSF — were injured in landmine blasts triggered by the PWG and MCC ultras who had given poll boycott call in the Bastar region. Mahasamund, belying all fears of poll violence, registered 61 per cent voting. It could be because of Ajit Jogi’s physical absence from the constituency following an accident, lowering campaign heat. At the end of the day, Shukla was a happy man. ‘‘I am thankful to the EC for ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections.’’
