Gorakhpur/Varanasi/Trivandrum, Apr 16 : Polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections across 15 states and two Union Territories began today amid tight security.

A total of 1,715 candidates, including 122 women, are contesting for the 124 seats, where over nine lakh officials have been deployed across 1.85 lakh polling stations.

The government has also ordered for a stringent check on the state borders to prevent movement of criminals and liquor.

Gorakhpur, Mar 24: Presid

Gorakhpur, Mar 15 : People in Gorakhpur have lodged complaints about several ailments that they suffer from because of the polluted Ami river that flows through the district.

The industrial waste and chemicals flowing in the waters have not only proved lethal for animals, but also to villagers living on its banks.

"Earlier, we used to take bath, wash our utensils and cook food using this water. But now we will die if we drink this water. All the animals have started dying after drinking this water. A lot of diseases have spread due to this water," said Vishwa Vijay Singh, a resident.

Gorakhpur, Mar 9 : Congress General Secretary and UP in-charge Digvijay Singh on Monday said it would wait till the last moment for an amicable seat sharing arrangement with the Samajwadi party in Uttar Pradesh.

His statement came a day after the SP virtually ended the possibility of an alliance with the Congress.

"Congress will wait till the last moment for an alliance with the SP. Yet, we will think on how many seats we can allot SP like they have decided to leave us six," Digvijay Singh said.

Gorakhpur, Mar 9 : The Government in association with State Governments has initiated several programmes to provide rural children access to primary education.

These education-related programmes include stipends, mid-day meals and special attention to girl child education.

Children belonging to backward classes are also getting free uniforms.

The mid-day meal schemes attracting students to the educational institutions.

The scheme is aimed at ensuring 70 to 80 percent enrolments of children in village schools.