Politics | Updated Oct 13, 2009 at 02:14pm IST

Maharashtra polls: Voting percentage picks up

Press Trust Of India

Mumbai: Around 21 per cent polling was reported in the first four hours of voting for the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly on Tuesday.

"Around 21 per cent of the over 7.56 crore eligible voters in the state exercised their franchise till 11 am (1100 hrs IST)," an election official said.

The polling, which began on a peaceful note at 0700 hrs IST, was marred by an incident of firing at a polling party in Naxal-infested Gadchiroli district.

Suspected Naxals opened fire near Kasansur in Aheri taluka of Gadchiroli district shortly before polling commenced on Tuesday, police said.

Police however, did not return fire as part of strategy since Naxalites were not visible as they were hiding in forest, they said.

Over 1.29 lakh state police and Central paramilitary forces (CPMF) have been deployed across the state to ensure fair and peaceful poll.

Central paramilitary forces (CPMF) contingents have been deployed in Naxal-hit Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts of Vidarbha to thwart any attempt by the Maoists to disrupt the election process

On October 8, 17 policemen were killed in an ambush by the Naxals in Gadchiroli district.

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