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Shoot to kill orders in Bihar: AFP

Shoot-to-kill orders have been given in eastern Bihar for the first phase of staggered state assembly elections beginning Saturday.

Officials in Bihar's home department said 108 constituencies in the state were located in areas where outlawed Maoist guerrillas and private feudal armies of rich landlords are active.

"We have decided to cover all the booths with security forces," state police chief K K Jacob said, adding that nearly 60,000 security personnel would be deployed on election duty.

Jacob said 25 sniffer dogs and a large number of mine detectors had been brought in from other states to detect hidden explosives, while police have been told to shoot in the event of armed gangs trying to capture booths.

The Bihar elections will be staggered over three different voting days -- February 12, 17 and 22 -- in order to allow the security forces to concentrate their resources on specific trouble spots.

In last year's general elections, 54 people were killed here in poll-related violence.

As before, Maoist guerrillas have announced a boycott of the polls and warned of dire consequences for anyone flouting their ban.

The rebels have already torched three vehicles, killed a Congress candidate and tarred the face of an independent contestant in the run up to the elections.

Assembly Election 2000

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