Violence erupted in Rajasthan's Tonk district on Wednesday night outside a polling station where bypolls were being held. The violence broke out when alleged supporters of Independent candidate Naresh Meena pelted stones at police and torched at least one vehicle.
The incident took place after the police force tried to remove the Congress rebel and his supporters who staged a sit-in protest when the voting was being held at a polling station in Samravta village in the Deoli-Uniara assembly constituency.
Police personnel were deployed in the village in large numbers, said IG Ajmer Omprakash, adding that the exact number of vehicles burnt will be clear after the mob is dispersed, reported PTI. The official said there was confirmation of one vehicle being set ablaze by the mob.
The mob pelted stones at the police who lobbed tear gas shells to control the situation.
Earlier on Wednesday, Meena made headlines after he slapped a RAS officer engaged in election duty. Meena then sat on the dharna outside the polling booth in the village and asked his supporters to gather at the dharna with sticks.
After the voting was completed, police asked Meena and his supporters to clear the way for the polling party to leave the polling station with EVMs. However, the mob turned violent and pelted stones at police, cops said.
Meena slapped SDM Malpura Amit Chaudhary as he made efforts to get more people to vote while locals had boycotted polling over demand and received support from Meena.
Rajasthan Officers' Association demanded the arrest of Meena and warned of a pen-down strike from Thursday across the state if he was not arrested.
District Collector, SP Responsible For Entire Episode: Meena
In the aftermath of the incident, Meena held the district collector and the Superintendent of Police responsible for the entire episode.
"District Collector and SP are responsible for the entire episode. All 60 people who have been arrested are innocent. If anyone should be punished, then it should be me," he said while speaking to PTI.
"SDM has no caste. No matter what caste he belongs to, I would beat him... this is the only solution to correcting his ways," he said further.
Meena also claimed that he is being falsely framed adding "big people" are involved in the conspiracy.
Police On Lookout For Meena
Speaking on the situation, Tonk Additional Superintendent of Police Brijendra Singh Bhati the police are analysing the situation and a few arrests have been made while a lookout is underway for Meena.
Several cases are already registered against Meena with impending arrest, said the Ajmer IG, adding police will arrest him on all charges and ensure stringent action.
Four cases have been registered and 60 people have been arrested, he added.