Violence mars polls in 5 districts, 10 injured
RAJASTHAN VOTES Three people hurt in fight between two groups in Churu, tension in Pokaran JAIPUR:
More than 10 people were injured in various incidents of violence across five districts on the day Rajasthan went to polls on Friday.
In Churu district, three people were injured in a clash between two groups at Khudera Chhota village, police said. The injured were identified as Virendra Singh, Chatar Singh and Ugaram Jat.
“The injured have been rushed to the government hospital and undergoing treatment. Injuries are not grievous,” said Narayan Dan, circle officer, Ratangarh.
Communal tension prevailed in Pokaran in Jaisalmer district after two groups of people pelted stones on each other and also set ablaze some shops after the polling process was over. The situation was brought under control by 7pm, police said.
In Bikaner district, a tussle broke out between two groups at Jagasar village in Kolayat constituency around 8.15am.
According to the police, Devi Singh Bhati, who is the father-inlaw of Poonam Kanwar, the BJP candidate from Kolayat constituency, along with 10-15 men, entered within 300 metres near Jagasar polling booth in three different cars. When he was stopped by one Yaroon Khan, Bhati’s supporters allegedly started pelting stones at Khan’s vehicle and set ablaze another vehicle.
Two supporters of Bhati, identified as Jal Singh Bhati and Vishwajeet Singh, allegedly also stopped a Haryana number car and beat up five persons present in the car, the police said, adding that the victims were injured.
The situation was brought under control in half -an-hour, the police said. “A team was
The verbal spat between two groups turned physical .., (at) one of the polling centres. Both the groups claimed that fake voters were entering the polling booth to cast votes. As the matter heated up, both started beating up each other
GOVERDHAN LAL KHATIK, ircle officer, Fatehpur
immediately rushed to the spot and injured were admitted to the hospital,” said Dalpat Singh Bhati, circle officer, Kolayat.
In Sikar district, an argument over presence of alleged fake voters at a polling centre in Fatehpur town led to a clash between workers of two political parties, disrupting the polling for some time.
“The verbal spat between two groups turned physical at Subhash government school, one of the polling centres. Both the groups claimed that fake voters were entering the polling booth to cast votes. As the matter heated up, both started beating up each other,” said Goverdhan Lal Khatik, circle officer, Fatehpur.
Two motorbikes outside the premises were set ablaze, the police said, adding that police personnel used force to disperse the mob. “Within 10-15 minutes, the situation was brought under control,” an official said.
In Bharatpur district, sitting MLA and BJP candidate from Nagar constituency, Anita Singh’s gunman was assaulted by some unidentified persons at Rasiya village in the constituency. Singh asked the authorities to remove crowd from the polling booth and the situation was brought under control. Some miscreants also tried to attack Singh, but she was saved by her gunman, police said.
Additional superintendent of police at Deeg, Mahesh Meena said, “After receiving information, additional police personnel were deployed there to maintain law and order. We are identifying the miscreants and will take legal action against them.”
Meena added, “Two persons were injured in a clash between two groups at Moroli village in Nagar constituency. Injured were admitted at the local community health centre in Deeg for treatment.”
In Alwar, a brawl broke out at one of the polling booths at Palava village in Alwar district around 3pm, police said. Security personnel of paramilitary force fired a bullet in the air control the situation.
Rajasthan special director general of police (law and order) NRK Reddy said, “Untoward incidents were reported from Bikaner, Pokaran, Sikar and Churu districts.”