M A I N   N E W S

Peaceful repoll in Bihar

PATNA, Feb 15 (PTI, UNI) — Barring an incident of violence in which a CRPF jawan was injured, repoll in 187 booths in 44 Assembly constituencies of Bihar passed off peacefully today with an estimated 45 to 50 per cent voters casting their ballot.

Official sources said a CRPF jawan was injured in an encounter with activists of the banned Maoist Communist Centre at a polling station in the Atri constituency. .

The state DGP, K.A. Jacob, and the Home Commissioner, Mr U.N. Panjiar, said the repoll was “peaceful.”

The state had witnessed Naxalite violence in the first phase of poll on February 12 in which 21 persons, including several police and poll personnel, were killed.

Meanwhile, the campaign for the second phase of the elections to 108 Assembly constituencies in Bihar and 70 in Orissa ended today. Campaigning also came to a close in Kannauj and Bellary Lok Sabha constituencies and 30 Assembly seats spread over 11 states where byelections are being held.

Actor Dilip Dhawan dead

MUMBAI, Feb 15 (PTI) — Character actor Dilip Dhawan died at his Bandra residence here today after a massive heart attack, family sources said. He was 45.

Starting his career as a child artiste in “Sangharsh”, featuring Dilip Kumar, Dhawan acted in over 50 films, including “Ek Bar Kaho”, “Virasat”, “Swarg”, and “Heena”.

He came in the limelight on the small screen with his portrayal as “Guru” in the popular serial “Nukkad”. He enacted powerful roles in serials like “Janam”, “Deewar”, “Tere Mere Sapne” and “Aur Ek Din”.

He is survived by wife and mother.