At least five trucks were torched allegedly by Maoists in Latehar district, hours before the commencement of the second and final phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections on Wednesday.

According to a senior police officer, the incident took place in Laat forest under the jurisdiction of Herhanj Police Station around 1.30 am.

Trucks used for coal transportation at the Tubed coal project in Latehar were set on fire by members of the banned Jharkhand Prastuti Committee (JPC), a splinter group of Maoists.

According to Latehar Superintendent of Police Kumar Gaurav, the trucks were returning after dumping coal when the incident occurred. An investigation has been launched, and raids are being conducted to apprehend those responsible.

The Maoists left a pamphlet at the scene, threatening to halt the loading and transportation activities at the Tubed coal project until negotiations are held with their group.

Truck drivers said that around 12 Maoists entered the forest and began firing indiscriminately. “The truck drivers were instructed to exit their vehicles, and several rounds of bullets were fired before the trucks were set ablaze,” an officer stated.

On the same day, voting is taking place for 38 Assembly seats in the second and final phase of the Jharkhand elections, under tight security measures. Polling kicked off at 7 AM in 14,218 booths across 12 districts and will continue until 5 PM. Latehar participated in the first phase of elections held on November 13.

Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah made an appeal to all the voters going to vote in the second and final phase of Jharkhand elections to cast record votes to form a government that cares about the bread, daughter and land of Jharkhand.

“Today, cast a historic vote for the departure of infiltrators and a corruption-free system. Vote for the golden future of the youth and prosperity of all the people of Jharkhand including Santhal Pargana,” he said in a post on X.

Taking to X, Chief Minister Hemant Soren also said: “The second and final phase of the great festival of democracy is being organised in Jharkhand. Today voting is being held on 38 Assembly seats in the second phase of Jharkhand elections. In the first phase of voting, people of 43 Assembly constituencies enthusiastically exercised their franchise. All sections voted for their rights and a strong Jharkhand. Those who were conspiring against Jharkhand were given a befitting reply.”

“Today’s phase will play an important role in the creation of ‘Sona Jharkhand’. To save Jharkhand from breaking up, we must unite and vote in large numbers. Today again, voters must exercise their franchise with the same enthusiasm and zeal. On this important occasion, an appeal is made to all of you to reach your booth centres in large numbers and exercise your right to vote and inspire everyone else too. Many best wishes and greetings to all the voters, polling officials, and soldiers of JMM and INDIA alliance who are participating in the voting today,” he added.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) today asked authorities in Uttar Pradesh to ensure fair byelection in the state after controversy erupted over checking of voters’ identity. The election body has also suspended police personnel who violated guidelines to check the identity cards of voters who came to cast their ballots.

Issuing a statement, the ECI said that no eligible voter should be prevented from voting. It added that any kind of biased attitude during voting will not be tolerated. The Election Commission asserted that after receiving a complaint, there will be an immediate investigation, adding that if anyone is found guilty, strict action will be taken.

Notably, byelection are currently underway in the nine assembly seats of Ghaziabad, Katehari, Khair, Kundarki, Karhal, Majhawan, Meerapur, Phulpur and Sisamau. Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner has instructed the state’s Chief Electoral Officer and all District Election Officers and Returning Officers to ensure fair and smooth voting process.

He directed the officials to take immediate note of all complaints and take immediate action. Along with this, inform the complainant about the action taken through social media by tagging them, he added.

The election body’s intervention came after Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav shared a video alleging voter harassment. He called for the suspension of officers checking voter cards and Aadhaar IDs unlawfully. Following, the Kanpur police confirmed the suspension of sub-inspectors implicated in the allegations and urged strict compliance with election procedures.

Reports stated that the Samajwadi Party alleged that certain communities were targeted and prevented from casting their votes. However, the BJP dismissed these claims, requesting that identity verification for burqa-clad voters be intensified. 

In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh, BJP’s Akhilesh Kumar Awasthi said that some men have worn burqas and tried to vote. He added that on many occasions, they have been stopped by poll officials. He asserted that if the identity of burqa-clad women is not checked, fake voting will take place. Only proper checking will ensure fair and transparent voting, he concluded.

Just a few hours before Maharashtra conducts the assembly elections, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), a regional party, accused BJP leaders, including general secretary and former minister Vinod Tawde, of distributing cash at a hotel in Virar in Palghar district. 

The BVA has alleged that BJP candidate from Nalasopara Rajan Naik was distributing cash, allegedly to influence voters, in the presence of former minister Vinod Tawde. Kshitij Thakur, who is the sitting BVA MLA , reached the hotel with his supporters and a high drama followed.

Reportedly, the BVA supporters gheraoed Vinod Tawde and raised slogans. The supporters claimed that they found envelopes with cash and diaries at the meeting venue. Several viral videos show BVA supporters waving currency notes in front of Vinod Tawde. 

Reports said that an FIR has been registered in this connection. BVA President Hitendra Thakur alleged that a sum of Rs 5 crore was distributed at the Virar hotel. He added that former minister Tawde had a diary that carried details of the cash.

Furthermore, the Congress has also shared a video from the hotel and accused the BJP of trying to use money power to influence the election. The party added that even top leaders are involved, and asked the Election Commission to take note and strict action.

Meanwhile, the BJP has trashed the allegations and termed them baseless and a political stunt by the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi on the eve of elections. The BJP said that Vinod Tawde was at the hotel for a meeting with party workers to discuss poll preparations. It also said the Election Commission must investigate the matter and scan CCTV footage to get to the root of the matter. 

Additional Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra Kiran Kulkarni has said they have received a complaint in this connection and necessary action will be taken.

Maharashtra will vote on November 20, and the counting of votes will take place on November 23.